A man is facing up to five years in prison after being caught shining a laser pen at a police helicopter, endangering the lives of the crew on board.
The chopper was assisting officers on the ground with a vehicle stop in Walsall, West Midlands, when the bright beam was shone into the cockpit on January 17.
Video footage from the helicopter shows the laser being pointed at the aircraft, dazzling the pilot, before he is quickly detained by police on the residential street.
The National Police Air Service (NPAS) said the culprit was now facing up to five years in jail for endangering an aircraft.
A man was arrested after being caught shining a laser pen at a police helicopter
Video footage from the helicopter shows the laser being pointed at the aircraft, dazzling the pilot, before the man is quickly detained by police
The man is facing up to five years in prison for endangering the lives of the people on board the aircraft
The NPAS shared the footage on social media and said: ‘Last night we assisted West Midlands Police with a vehicle stop in Walsall.
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‘Whilst doing so we were targeted with a laser pointer, fortunately force response were nearby and the offender was detained in the act.
‘Offenders can be pin pointed in seconds and can be jailed for 5 years.’
Head of NPAS Flight Operations Captain Paul Watts said previously after a man was jailed for a similar incident: ‘Laser attacks are a serious concern.
The helicopter was assisting officers on the ground with a vehicle stop in Walsall, West Midlands
‘The impact on a pilot is, at the very least, distracting, but can be serious enough to cause temporary ‘flash’ blindness and, in some cases, lasting eye damage.
‘This could be hazardous.
‘Those who carry out this dangerous action should expect to be arrested. We will always pursue prosecution with the full support of our police colleagues.’
West Midlands Police have been contacted for comment.
