A man was arrested in Bangor last night (23 July 2018) on suspicion of endangering an aircraft after a light was directed at a police helicopter flying above Bangor.
Shortly before 11pm the National Police Air Service helicopter was flying above the Bangor area searching for a high-risk missing person. Police officers were then made aware that a bright light was deliberately being directed towards the aircraft.
An officer from the Roads Policing Unit was nearby and went to investigate and subsequently found a man on the Industrial Unit in Llandegai. The 18-year-old would not provide his details and was arrested on suspicion of endangering an aircraft, obstructing police and a public order offence.
Whilst arresting the man another male arrived at the scene and became aggressive with the officer. He was also arrested for a public order offence.
The 18-year-old has since been released under investigation whilst enquiries are ongoing. The 47-year-old man who was arrested for a public order offence later received a caution.
Superintendent Neil Thomas from North Wales Police’s Operational Support Services department said: “Shining a light towards an aircraft puts that helicopter and its crew at completely unnecessary risk. The aircraft was assisting local officers at the time searching for a missing person. This type of behaviour will not be tolerated and we will robustly deal with anybody caught behaving in this manner.”
The missing person was later found safe and well.
(Photo North Wales Police)
