A POLICE car driver was hit in the eye by a beam from a laser pen as he dealt with a late-night incident in Kingskerswell.

The patrol officer and his colleague interrupted their search for an offender to respond to the more immediate crime before the police victim sought treatment at Torbay Hospital.

Officers later spoke to an 18-year-old girl from Kingskerswell about the

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laser beam drama.

They have confirmed the suspect, who has not been named but lives in the Torquay Road area of Kingskerswell, would soon be questioned again about what happened.

A police spokesman said this week: ‘There will be further contact with her in the near future to progress the matter.’

The incident, which happened between midnight and 1am on March 26, has caused some alarm within the force.

Newton Abbot-based Insp Adrian Woon said: ‘This was a disturbing and potentially harmful incident which caused the officer involved some discomfort and resulted in blurred vision which required attention at the accident and emergency department.’

He added: ‘Such episodes appear to be more frequent in public places whether they are caused by accident or with intent. ‘Fortunately, the officer in this case was OK afterwards and did not need to take any time off work.’

He revealed the young woman had been quizzed at Newton Abbot Police Station after the incident.

She was then told the matter would be the subject of further inquiries.

The investigation will concentrate on whether what happened was deliberate or not.

The laser pen was confiscated and is being kept in a sealed evidence bag by police until a decision is made whether to prosecute the matter further.

Eye experts and police have called for stricter laws controlling the use of such devices, many of which are imported from China and cost as little as £5.

It’s been estimated that at least a dozen children a year in the UK are blinded by the misuse of laser pens.