"Extremely serious" laser attack targets Emirates flight

London : An Emirates aircraft was targeted by a laser pointer in an "extremely serious" attack as it flew over Hertfordshire, UK, on Wednesday, November 16, British media has reported.

A Hertfordshire Police spokesman told Daily Mail that a green laser was shone at the plane for "at least a couple of seconds", though this did not cause the flight to change its path.

The incident happened in the vicinity of The Avenue in Bushey, near Watford, at 7.55 pm on November 16.

This incident comes after a British Airways flight was targeted in a laser beam attack as it prepared to land at London's Heathrow Airport in August. 

In a statement quoted by the Daily Mail, Inspector Peter Edwards, of Hertfordshire Police, said:

This is a very serious offence and could have had very grave consequences.

"We are asking those who may have information to help us with our investigation to please come forward and speak to us, as you may have vital evidence."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, quoting crime reference number J2/16/1399, or contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

Civil Aviation Authority figures show there were 1,439 laser attacks on aircraft in the UK last year - equivalent to almost four per day.

The area around Heathrow Airport was the most common location with 121 incidents, followed by Birmingham Airport (94) and Manchester Airport (93).