Police have arrested four people after a laser was shone at the force helicopter, hampering a missing persons search.

On Thursday evening, officers were being assisted by the National Police Air Service in searching for a number of high risk missing people.

During the search, the police helicopter was harrassed by a laster being shone into the sky by someone at a house in Preston.

The crew on board the helicopter were able to direct officers on the ground to the address and all four of the occupants; two adults and two teenagers, were arrested.

A spokesperson for the police said: "While you slept last night Team5IR have been continuing to investigate crime and keep people safe.

"This included assistance from the National Police Air Service in searching for a number of high risk missing people, whom were in serious danger.

"However, during the search the police helicopter was harassed by a laser being shone into the sky by a member of a household in Ribbleton.

"This kind of behaviour places a serious risk to the safety of the aircraft and also prevented the use of the helicopter in looking for the missing person.

"With the help of aircraft crew on board, officers were directed to the address in which the laser was coming from and have arrested all four of the occupants; two adults and two teenagers." 

Footage from on board the helicopter will be reviewed on Friday with interviews taking place throughout the day.

PC Hargreaves of Preston Team 5 Immediate Response said “Shining a laser at an aircraft is extremely dangerous. It can cause the crew to be disoriented, which can have disastrous consequences.

"We want to make it clear that this should not be done for any reason and there are serious consequences for such behaviour.

"NPAS is an expensive but invaluable resource in policing and therefore positive action will always be taken in these scenarios.”