LASER louts have struck again – targeting two planes in the skies above Oxfordshire.

Police last night warned pilots could be blinded and hundreds of lives endangered by people aiming the laser pen beams at the cockpit of planes and helicopters.

A laser was pointed at two aircraft, including a Cessna 172 carrying Jack FM’s Flying Jack, in the skies over Kidlington on Wednesday afternoon.

The incidents were the ninth and 10th laser attacks on aircraft in the county over the past 15 months.

The pilot of the Cessna and broadcaster Neal Veglio – who delivers daily traffic reports for Jack FM from the Global Travel Network plane – were almost blinded by a green laser beam which dazzled the cockpit while they took off from London Oxford Airport at about 5.20pm.

Mr Veglio said: “It sounds strange to say, but I’m grateful it was me who was affected and not the pilot.

“I’m told it could have blinded me, but think of the possible consequences of blinding a pilot.

“A light plane crashing full of fuel, just think of what could happen. If a pilot was blinded, he wouldn’t be able to avoid a built-up area or road, and people on the ground could be seriously affected as well.”

Minutes later a second plane, on a navigation exercise from High Wycombe, was also targeted.

Police believe the laser was fired from a field behind the Audi garage, on Banbury Road.

The Civil Aviation Authority said attacks on aircraft across the country increased from 29 in 2007 to 206 last year.

Insp Steve Bridges, of Thames Valley Police, said: “Shining a laser at an aircraft is extremely dangerous, and sadly some people simply cannot see the potential consequences of causing even temporary blindness to a pilot’s night vision.

“This is not just a childish prank, it’s something that endangers people not only in the air but, in a worse case scenario, untold numbers on the ground. We have the technology and tactics to catch people who undertake this foolish act.

“If anyone is found with a laser device, they can be arrested for simply carrying it if the questioning officer is not satisfied with their reasons for having one.

“They certainly face arrest if we suspect they have been illuminating aircraft and endangering its crew and passengers – as some individuals have already discovered.”

Laser attacks began happening last year shortly after the powerful laser pens went on sale.

An aircraft was targeted above Witney on August 4, followed by attacks over Chipping Norton on October 6, Bicester on November 5 and Headington, Oxford, on November 15.

This year pilots were dazzled in the skies above Thame on January 7, Chipping Norton on March 4, Witney on May 31, and Cowley, Oxford, on August 3.

Anyone with information should call police on 0845 850 5505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.