Virgin flight forced to return to Heathrow after laser attack

A Virgin Atlantic flight to New York has been forced to return to Heathrow after a laser beam attack.

The service had taken off from London shortly before 8pm but turned around after Irish air traffic control were told of a medical issue with one of the pilots.

According to the BBC, flight VS025 had 252 passengers and 15 crew on board.

Virgin Atlantic said: “The safety of our crew and customers is our top priority and we apologise for any inconvenience to those onboard.

“All customers will be offered overnight accommodation and we will get them on their journey as soon as possible.”

The carrier and the police are working together to determine the source of the laser attack.

If caught the person responsible could be charged under a law brought in in 2010 that outlaws shining lights into aircraft cockpits to dazzle pilots.

The BBC said 414 “laser incidents” in the UK were reported to the CAA between January and June 2015, with the highest number, 48, at London Heathrow airport.