Telford Man, 60, Arrested for Shining Laser at Police Plane During Road Rage Probe
A 60-year-old man has been arrested in Telford after allegedly shining a laser at a police aircraft that was assisting officers with a road rage incident. The National Police Air Service fixed-wing plane was deployed to the area on Tuesday evening, March 10, to help locate a suspect involved in a disturbance in Ketley Bank.
Swift Police Response to Dangerous Incident
While the NPAS aircraft was supporting West Mercia Police with the road rage investigation at approximately 6:20 PM, ground officers received reports that a laser was being directed at the plane. This prompted immediate inquiries, leading police to an address on Old Office Road in Dawley.
The 60-year-old man was located at the property and arrested on suspicion of endangering an aircraft. He remains in police custody as further investigations continue. Detective Inspector Paul Drury emphasized the seriousness of the offense, stating that shining a laser at any aircraft is inherently dangerous, but doing so during an active police operation increases risks to both crew and the public.
Connection to Separate Road Rage Incident
The laser incident occurred while police were responding to a separate road rage-related event on Mossey Green Way in Ketley Bank. In that case, officers located a 26-year-old man at an address in Lawley, who was arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. He has since been released on bail pending further inquiries.
Detective Inspector Drury praised the swift work of officers, noting that the NPAS plays a vital role in community safety, and such laser attacks could have had serious consequences. The arrest highlights ongoing efforts to address dangerous behavior that compromises public safety and police operations in the Telford area.
