A person has been arrested after a laser was “persistently” pointed at a police helicopter while its crew searched for a missing woman.

The National Police Air Service helicopter was above the Kings Cliff area in Brighton at around 10.30pm on Thursday to search for the woman.

The crew onboard spotted the missing woman and directed police officers on the ground to her.

However during the search, a laser was pointed at the helicopter “which not only hinders the search but is highly dangerous for the crew and public”, a NPAS spokeswoman said.

The Argus: This is what a crew in Wales saw when a laser was pointed at their helicopterThis is what a crew in Wales saw when a laser was pointed at their helicopter (Image: Newsquest)

“At 10.29pm on February 1, a police helicopter from NPAS Bournemouth was deployed to the Kings Cliff area of Brighton to carry out a search for a missing woman.

“The woman was located and police officers on the ground were directed to her.

“During the search, the crew were subjected to a persistent laser which not only hinders the search but is highly dangerous for the crew and public.

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“Officers were directed to the address from which the laser was coming and one person was arrested.”

The helicopter was in the air for an hour and 31 minutes.

Sussex Police have been contacted for comment.