AN ARMED man shone a laser at the police helicopter during a search for a missing person in the Brading area last night.

Police were called at 8.30pm on Tuesday, March 26, to a report of a missing person in the Brading area. The person was located safe and well at Yaverland beach at 10.10pm.

During the search, a laser was shone at the police helicopter by a man who appeared to have a weapon. He was later located with an air rifle.

A man was spoken to by officers at the scene, and enquiries are ongoing.

It is illegal to use laser pens to dazzle or distract the pilot of an aircraft.