High-powered laser pointers face ban

AUSTRALIA (theaustralian) -- HIGH-powered laser pointers will be banned in NSW in a move that will also make it illegal to carry them in public without a good reason.

NSW Premier Morris Iemma and Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said today that carrying of any laser in public without reasonable explanation would be a criminal offence.

High-powered lasers will be classed as prohibited weapons, and carrying them in public without a permit will be an offence punishable by up to 14 years in jail.

The moves are in response to a series of recent incidents in which aircraft were targeted with lasers.

The latest incident occurred over Sydney's south yesterday morning when an air ambulance helicopter was targeted.

A police spokeswoman said the aircraft was flying over Sylvania about 2am (AEST) when a green laser was projected at it.

No one was injured and no one arrested.