A MAN has been arrested after a laser pen was shone at a police helicopter.

The 54-year-old was detained on suspicion of endangering an aircraft following an incident at 4.30am yesterday as the aircraft flew over the Southwick area of Sunderland.

The incident is the second incident in two days in which aircraft have allegedly been targeted by lasers.

On Tuesday, police were informed that a laser had been shone at an aeroplane as it approached Newcastle Airport to land shortly after 10pm.