‘Idiot’ shines laser pen at police helicopter

Police helicopter

Police officers have branded a man an “idiot” after he shined a laser pen at a police helicopter during the search for a missing woman.

The helicopter was called to help search for the missing woman from Rochdale just before 8:45pm yesterday evening (Sunday 23 March) but the search was delayed by a man shining a light into the cockpit.

Officers have vented their frustration regarding the situation saying: “Whilst dealing with a missing female we were targeted by a male with a laser. Patrols advised and he is now in custody. 

“Being targeted by a laser pen meant that we could not start our search for the missing female until he was detained as we could not see anything in the aircraft as we were dazzled.

“Luckily we were able to resume once [he was] in custody and were able to find the female.

"Please do not laser us or any other aircraft as the consequences could be serious for everyone.”

The missing woman was later found on an embankment of the canal near Sandbrook Park.