A POLICE helicopter crew has hit out at an idiot who tried to shine a laser pointer at their aircraft.

The Dyfed-Powys Police Helicopter Support Unit X99 was making its way towards Milford Haven on Sunday night.

The crew had been called to a report of a body in the water in the Haven which turned out to be a false alarm with good intent.

But the crew then found themselves the target of a laser pointer directed from the ground.

Luckily, the person's aim was off and the crew were able to return to base safely.

Later, tweeting about their night’s work, the crew’s Twitter account @DPP_X99, said: “Thanks to the amateur with the laser pointer in Milford Haven. You weren't very good at trying to hit us”

For good measure, the crew added the hashtag #stupid.

A spokesman for Dyfed-Powys Police, said: “The malicious use of lasers against aircraft is very dangerous.

"Whilst owning a laser pen is not illegal, if a person has one in the street and was using it (or intending to use it) to shine at aircraft, at cars or in people’s eyes, they are committing an offence and, in the case of cars and aircraft, a particularly serious offence which can lead to custodial sentences.”