Teenagers arrested after laser shone at helicopter and planes

Two teenagers have been arrested after a laser pen was “recklessly” shined at police helicopter crew and planes flying over Liverpool.

Officers from a National Police Air Service (NPAS) helicopter said its aircraft was targeted by a green laser from an address in the city’s West Derby area at about midnight on Thursday.

Later on, air traffic control at Liverpool John Lennon Airport said flights had also been targeted.

Two boys aged 16 and 13 were held at a property on Haydn Road, Merseyside Police said.

Cpt Paul Watts, head of flight operations at NPAS, said: “We cannot overstate just how reckless it is to distract a pilot and crew with a laser.

“It not only endangers those in an aircraft but potentially people on the ground too.

“It is a serious offence and our crews will always work robustly with local police to ensure those who engage in such dangerous practices are brought to justice before they cause serious harm to others.”