A TEENAGER has been arrested today after shining a laser at a police helicopter.

In the early hours of today a laser beam was shone at the Essex Police helicopter, which was flying over Chelmsford.

The 18-year-old from Chelmsford was arrested on suspicion of endangering an aircraft.

At around 12.45am the crew reported a purple beam was directed at the aircraft several times.

They pinpointed the location of the source of the beam and ground officers later went to an address in the Arbour Lane area of the town where a laser was seized.

The teenager is currenly in police custody in Braintree while inquiries continue.