By Hayley Robinson

Police are warning people about the dangers of shining laser pens at aircraft after an incident in Sittingbourne.

Air control officers contacted the Force Communications Centre at Kent Police on Sunday evening to report that a green laser pen light was targeting aircraft flying over the town.

Insp David Coleman said that although it might have seemed like a harmless prank it could have endangered both the lives of aircrews and the communities any planes were flying over.

He said: "I would like to encourage parents to be aware if their children have laser pen lights and if they do to warn them of the dangers and possible consequences.

"I also want people to be aware that we will prosecute and put before the courts anyone involved in this type of offence, and anyone found guilty will end up with a criminal record."

In June 2009 a Sheerness teenager was made the subject of a curfew order after pleading guilty to recklessly or negligently acting in a manner likely to endanger an aircraft and its crew.

He was caught after shining a laser pen at a police helicopter while it was searching for a vulnerable missing person on the Isle of Sheppey.