TWO people have been arrested after a laser was allegedly shone at a police helicopter flying over York during a search for a missing man, which could have had "catastrophic" consequences.

At around 2.45am today, the National Police Air Service was assisting with the search for York man Stuart Aiken  - who has since been found - when the laser was shone at the aircraft from the area of Ouse Bridge, North Yorkshire Police said.

Officers in the helicopter guided officers on the ground to two suspects, a man, aged 46, and a woman, aged 29, who were arrested on the bridge on suspicion of endangering an aircraft, the force added.

It said the two, who are of no fixed address, remain in police custody for questioning.

Inspector Andy Godfrey, of York Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "It goes without saying how dangerous it is to distract or try to blind a aircraft pilot. The consequences could have been catastrophic for the crew and members of the public on the ground."