AS THE nights draw in police in Abergavenny are becoming increasingly concerned over a person using a laser pen to blind drivers at drivers in the Llanelly Hill and Clydach area reports ANDY SHERWILL.

A number of drivers on at least two occasions within the last week have reported that a laser beam has been shone into their eyes whilst they drove along the Heads of the Valleys road.

The Chronicle has regularly reported incidents of a similar nature in the past few months including one incident at dusk on Tuesday, August 16 when a pilot had a green laser beam pointed in his eyes as he was preparing to land.

Sergeant Tony Patey said: "The report of the laser beam directed at the pilot of an aeroplane in August was of a great cause of concern to us as it could have untold consequences. And now as the nights draw in we want to stamp out this idiotic activity before somebody gets killed."

The police have been monitoring the situation for a number of months, but as the culprit appears to be mobile, either on foot or in a car he easily avoids detection.

Sgt Patey added: "This person is now a real menace. He or she may think it's fun to blind drivers, but the situation has now gone too far and we need to eradicate this problem before a major incident happens.

"We need as much evidence from the public as possible to catch the culprit in the act. If a driver notices the laser beam being activated we would appreciate a call to us as soon as possible after the incident."

The law states that general presentation laser pens above 1mw are illegal for sale in the UK. Health and Safety regulations controls their use anywhere the public can come in contact with laser light.

The Department of Trade and Industry have urged Trading Standards authorities to use their existing powers to remove high powers lasers from the general market.

If anybody has been 'lasered' in the area the police in Abergavenny would like to hear from you to report the incident so they can build up a picture of the offender's activities. Contact them by dialling 101.