This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-23599194

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Nechells man held for shining laser at police helicopter in Birmingham Birmingham man charged over laser shone at police helicopter
(about 5 hours later)
A man has been arrested after a laser was shone at a police helicopter which was responding to a call in Birmingham. A man has been charged with endangering an aircraft after a laser was shone at a police helicopter in Birmingham.
West Midlands Police said the helicopter was flying over Benmore Avenue in Edgbaston at about 22:30 BST on Tuesday when a laser torch was shone at it from a parked vehicle. West Midlands Police said the helicopter was flying over Edgbaston responding to a call at about 22:30 BST on Tuesday.
A 25-year-old from Nechells was arrested on suspicion of endangering an aircraft after officers on the ground traced him. A laser torch was shone at the aircraft from a parked vehicle on Benmore Avenue and a man was subsequently arrested.
He remains in police custody. The 25-year-old, from Nechells, has been bailed to appear at Birmingham Magistrates' Court in two weeks.
Police said laser attacks on any aircraft were extremely irresponsible and dangerous. Police air operations supervisor Martin Knowles said: "In extreme cases pilots can be temporarily blinded if they're hit in the eye by a laser, even one shone from long range.
Air Operations Supervisor Martin Knowles, said: "In extreme cases pilots can be temporarily blinded if they're hit in the eye by a laser, even one shone from long range. "Sometimes pilots are required to hover close to overhead wiring or tower blocks, moves which require extreme skill and precision, so even being distracted by a split second can have terrible consequences."
"Sometimes pilots are required to hover close to overhead wiring or tower blocks, moves which require extreme skill and precision, so even being distracted by a split second can have terrible consequences.
"Such acts defy belief. Presumably the offenders view it as some kind of game to try and hit a moving object in the sky, but without considering the potential consequences."