Man arrested after laser shone at police helicopter

A man has been arrested after a green laser was shone at a police helicopter which was responding to a burglary in Berkshire at the weekend.

The aircraft was flying above west Reading following reports of a burglary in Tilehurst on Saturday night.

The laser incident happened at about 2050 BST.

The man, aged 41, from Reading, was arrested on suspicion of endangering an aircraft and has since been released on bail until 22 November.

Doug Mackay, Chiltern Air Support unit executive officer, said: "Shining a laser at an aircraft will illuminate the cockpit, while the intensity of the beam could potentially damage the eyesight of those inside.

"In the worst case scenario it could disable the pilot and result in the aircraft crashing."