Police in Inverness are appealing for witnesses after a green laser was shone into the cockpit of a search and rescue helicopter on January 31 at around 7pm.
The laser pointer, which is thought to have been aimed from the Merkinch area, was used at a time when a search was being conducted for a missing person who had entered the water of the River Ness.
Officers have condemned the actions as "extremely reckless."
A statement goes on to say: "Such use could have dangerous consequences for the person distracted - who in this particular instance, was the pilot of an aircraft - in addition to any crew on-board and also the general public.
"Police Scotland would urge people in possession of these type of devices not to misuse them in this manner and remind people that it is a criminal offence and is taken very seriously by both Police Scotland and the Scottish Courts."
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