Teenager arrested after 'laser attack' on police helicopter

The Devon and Cornwall Police helicopter has been targeted by lasers 20 times in six months

A 16-year-old boy has been arrested after laser beams were shone at a police helicopter flying in Devon.

The helicopter was investigating a burglary in Kingskerswell when three separate beams were directed at it at about midnight on Monday, Devon and Cornwall Police said.

Officers followed the strongest beam and tracked it to a property in Torquay.

A boy was arrested and later released on bail. A laser pen was recovered.

Police said the three beams, in what they called a "laser attack", were coming from different directions causing distractions to the crew.

The teenager was arrested on suspicion of shining a light at an aircraft in flight.

Last month, officers said the force's helicopter, based in Exeter, had been targeted about 20 times in six months by lasers.