After a Barnsley man was jailed for a year at Sheffield Crown Court on Monday for shining a laser pen at the police helicopter, officers warn of the dangers to aircraft crew and the public of lasers.

Air Operations Chief Pilot Mal Reeves said: "The aircraft and team were on their way back from Barnsley to Sheffield when a green laser was shone directly at the aircraft creating a dazzling effect on the camera systems. The offender continued to shine the laser at the aircraft and this was caught on both thermal imaging and low light camera systems. Despite this we were able to direct ground units to where the offender was situated and he was arrested at the scene."

Two further incidents occurred in South Yorkshire on Monday 5 July, one in Doncaster and one in Barnsley.

In Doncaster, a plane of holidaymakers escaped harm when the captain of an in-bound flight from Barcelona to Robin Hood Airport, notified air traffic control after a green laser had shone in the cockpit as the plane was coming in to land. Officers are investigating the incident, which is thought to have happened over Balby at about 11.15pm on Monday night.

Mike Morton, Director of Doncaster Sheffield Airport said: “Thankfully incidents such as this are rare. However, both the police and ourselves take such incidents very seriously and work closely to apprehend those individuals involved.  We are pleased that the courts have a similar view, by way of issuing custodial sentences for those found guilty of such offences".

At 11.20pm, a 16-year-old from Barnsley was seen shining a laser at the Force helicopter in Cundy Cross, Barnsley. The teenager was tracked by the helicopter and officers on the ground located him and arrested him at his home address. The 16-year-old was later charged with aircraft offences and bailed to appear at Barnsley Youth Court on Wednesday, 14 July.

Chief Inspector Tony Jepson added: "These criminal acts have the potential to endanger the life of the crew and the public and will not be tolerated. The Air Operations Unit is vital in targeting criminals, keeping our communities safe and saving the lives of vulnerable people. We will take this type of crime very seriously and will pursue and seek to prosecute anyone who commits this type of offence."

South Yorkshire is not alone; other airports and aircraft crew report problems with the misuse of lasers, which compromises people’s safety.