HOUNSLOW Borough residents are being asked to keep their eyes peeled for green lasers after a spate of beams being directed towards planes at Heathrow.

The appeal has been made by the UK Civil Aviation Authority, asking for reports of any sightings of the bright lights.

A passenger jet was targeted by one of the devices shortly after take-off on the evening of Saturday July 17.

Police believe the attack came from the Staines area.

There were two other similar attacks in the area on the same night, both aircraft were on descent into Heathrow.The CAA has warned about the serious safety risk associated with distracting or dazzling pilots with a light or laser pen.

It is now calling upon the people of Hounslow to help.

Captain Bob Jones, head of flight operations at the CAA, said: "Lasers are not toys, they pose a serious risk to all flight safety. I advise individuals who may think shining one of these things at an aircraft is a bit of fun, to think again.

"The chances of getting caught are increasing rapidly and, once caught, criminal charges are now inevitable. Anyone who witnesses a laser being shone at an aircraft should contact the police immediately - just as they would observing any other criminal act."In 2009 there were a total of 737 attacks with lasers on commercial airliners, air ambulances and police helicopters across the UK, a considerable increase on the 29 incidents in 2007.

In 2009 there were 18 incidents at Heathrow, so far this year there have already been 17 reported attacks.Anyone who witnesses a laser being shone at an aircraft should contact the police immediately.