Police have warned that lives are being put at risk by people shining laser beams into the cockpits of aircraft flying into and out of Edinburgh Airport.
Police and airport authorities said they had received a number of complaints of incidents of laser pens being aimed at aircraft.
Sergeant Iain Geddes, a south-west Fife police officer, said: “I must emphasise that this is an incredibly dangerous activity and puts at considerable risk the staff and passengers of aircraft, and subsequently the wider community should an aircraft get into difficulty.
“I would ask that those involved in this practice seriously consider their actions and for those buying and/or selling laser pens to be mindful of the uses to which they can be put.”
A spokesman for Edinburgh Airport said: “We welcome the police’s determination in this matter which underlines the seriousness of the offence.
“These types of offences are extremely foolhardy and could have fatal consequences. We hope that this action will send a message that dangerous behaviour cannot be tolerated.”
In separate incidents over the years there have been a number of complaints about laser pens being shone into the cockpits of aircraft at airports around the UK.
Last year Northern Constabulary issued an urgent warning about the reckless use of laser pens following an incident involving a flight into Inverness Airport.
There have also been other reports over the years at Edinburgh, Glasgow and in England, with incidents reportedly on the increase at the likes of Heathrow.
Anyone who has any information about any of the above crimes, or who may have relevant information, can contact Fife police on 08456 005702 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. Any contact will be treated confidentially.
Meanwhile, a 13-year-old has been charged with an offence under the Air Navigation Act after three separate reports of laser pens allegedly being shone towards aircraft flying into, and out of, Edinburgh Airport last year.