Police warn laser shone at Royal Navy helicopter could have been 'catastrophic'
The Merlin helicopter was on a training flight off North Ayrshire, Scotland, with four crew on board when the incident happened.
Police have warned that the shining of a laser at a Royal Navy helicopter could have had "catastrophic" consequences.
The incident happened while the Royal Navy Merlin helicopter was on a training flight off North Ayrshire, with four crew on board.
The chief pilot reported that the aircraft was in a low-altitude hover over the sea off Stevenston, North Ayrshire, when a laser was directed at it and temporarily distracted the flight crew.
Police are investigating and have appealed for information about the incident which happened at about 11:15pm on Monday 4 October.
A police spokesman for the Three Towns Locality Policing Team said: "Use of a laser pen in this manner is extremely reckless and this incident could have been catastrophic for the aircraft and crew of four on board.
"We would like to remind people that matters such as this are taken very seriously by both Police Scotland and Scottish Courts Service.
"The pilot noted the laser beam to be coming from the Stevenston Point area.
"I would urge anyone who may have any information regarding this incident to contact myself via 101, at Saltcoats Police Office, and quoting incident #3910 of the 4th October, thank you."