Police are warning than anyone who deliberately shines laser lights at people will be arrested.

It follows an incident in Hythe Road, Ashford, on Friday morning when an off-duty police officer had a laser shone in his eyes. He was taken to hospital for medical attention.

The alleged offender, a teenage boy, was found at an address nearby and had deliberately been aiming the laser at passers by.

Ch Insp John Frayne, said: “Shining a laser at someone is extremely dangerous, it can cause permanent retinal damage and if shone at a driver, could cause injury or death.”

“Anyone found shining a laser at people will be arrested and prosecuted so I would urge parents to ensure they do not allow their children to possess lasers and to tell them about the serious consequences of using them.”