Laser pens are not harmless toys warn police

Police are warning young people about playing with laser pens after a bus driver had a laser shone in an eye.

Shortly before 9.30pm on Saturday 24 July a bus was stopped in Magdalene Street, Glastonbury while the driver picked up a passenger. As he was taking the fare a laser was shone into the bus cab which hit his face and cause inflammation to one of his eyes.

As a result of a police enquiry into the incident a 16-year-old boy was charged on Tuesday 3 August with assault and will appear before Frome Youth Court on Wednesday 18 August.

Warning people about the dangers posed by lasers, Inspector Mark Nicholson said: "Laser pens are easily accessible and can be both useful and fun if used safely. However, they can also be dangerous if pointed at people and particularly if directed at their faces. They can cause blindness, that's how dangerous they are.

"I would discourage people from using laser torches in public areas and warn people that we will act robustly if they are used to cause injury to people. I ask parents to warn their children of the potential dangers of these items and to be aware of what their children are up to. This especially the case during the school holidays when they may stay out late and spend more time with their friends."