POLICE have warned of the dangers of shining a laser pen at a plane following an incident in Stockton Heath.

Officers are investigating after a pilot of an easyJet plane reported that a green laser pen had been aimed at the aircraft at 10pm yesterday, Monday.

A spokesman for Cheshire Police said: "The captain of an easyJet plane made a report to us at 10pm last night.

"A green laser pen was aimed at his aircraft and he was dazzled for around five seconds. 

"The location of the laser pen was identified as Stockton Heath. 

"If this is you be warned. This is a very serious offence which we will deal with robustly."

Officers have also issued a warning to the public about the potential fatal consequences of shining a laser pen at a vehicle and tougher new punishments which could come into force.

Under new Government proposals people shining laser pens at pilots or drivers face hefty fines or even prison under tough new powers to combat this type of offence.

It is already a crime to shine laser pens at pilots with those found guilty of the crime facing fines up to £2,500 or even jail time. 

But under current laws, police must prove an aircraft was endangered.

The proposed law will make it an offence to shine a laser at any transport operator including motorists and train drivers.

This is not the first time Cheshire Police have issued a warning over laser pens.

In September 2015, a police helicopter crew reported a laser pen was being directed towards the aircraft from a property in Fearnhead.

At the time the police released an image taken during a previous incident inside a helicopter to show what effect laser pens cause on an aircraft.

In February officers were deployed to Penketh at 9am following reports of someone pointing a laser pen at a train.