A man has been arrested after a green laser was pointed at an active police helicopter, an act branded "incredibly dangerous".

While flying over Beckton last night (April 7), a National Police Air Service (NPAS) helicopter crew was repeatedly targeted with a green laser.

The incident, which occurred between 10.28pm and 10.50pm, led to a man's arrest after the location of the alleged offender was passed on to Metropolitan Police officers.

The Met Police found and arrested the suspect.

Captain Paul Watts, head of NPAS flight operations, said: "Distracting a pilot whilst in flight is incredibly dangerous and is a serious risk not just to the crew but to people on the ground.

“It also takes the crew away from the purpose of the flight, which could be searching for a missing and vulnerable person, or helping apprehend a dangerous driver or suspect."

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Captain Watts said sophisticated mapping and camera equipment on NPAS aircraft allows them to "very easily" find the location of offenders.

"We will pursue action against offenders and will always support prosecution, which can lead to imprisonment," he added.