Polair laser strike: Nerang man accused of targeting police helicopter

Queensland Police have sent out a stern message to the public after a Gold Coast man was charged with pointing a laser at the Polair helicopter.

A GOLD Coast man has been charged after a targeted laser strike on the Polair helicopter last week.

The 61-year-old Nerang man allegedly struck the police chopper with a high-powered handheld laser while it was on patrol.

Using the helicopter’s infra-red sensor and mapping technology, the suspect was quickly pinpointed and arrested by police.

The man has been charged with threatening the safety of an aircraft or of persons on board an aircraft and is due to appear in Southport Magistrates Court on November 11.

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Shining a laser at an aircraft or into the cockpit is a federal crime and in the past convicted offenders have received fines as high as $10,000. The offence carries a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment.

Queensland Police said pointing lasers at aircraft was a serious safety risk.

“Lasers present a serious risk to aviator safety and that pointing any kind of laser at an aircraft in flight can potentially cause permanent injury and seriously hinder the pilot’s ability to safely control the aircraft,” a statement read.

“Laser incidents also threaten the safety of innocent people on the ground.”