Information on Loughborough

Keep an eye on the eye in the sky!

Posted on 24/06/2009

arrest,villain,police,constabulary Keep an eye on the eye in the sky!

Ever wondered what the police helicopter is doing over your house? A new website launched today by East Midlands Air Support Unit (EMASU) will now give you the answers.

The new HX55 Police Helicopter website will provide details of when, where and why it has been deployed.

Sergeant Ian Coutts, Deputy Unit Executive Officer for EMASU, said: “Air support has become an essential part of modern operational policing. Using the technology available to us on the helicopter, and taking an advantage of a ‘birds-eye-view’ of a scene, we can support on-the-ground officers when dealing with incidents.

“However, we appreciate that when local residents see and hear the helicopter hovering over their house it does raise questions as to what exactly is going on.

“This website should help to provide those answers and reassure the community. It will detail when we were deployed, what we were doing and what the outcome was. We hope that by doing this it will not only reduce community concerns but also demonstrate the kinds of things we are asked to do.”

An example of this from the website happened on May 6 when EMASU were called upon to assist in locating a suspect who had driven from a petrol station without paying for petrol. The car was found abandoned on Manor Road in Loughborough and a 22-year-old man was arrested nearby. 

They were also able to assist police in trying to locate a missing person in Donnisthorpe on May 17. The man eventually turned up at his home address safe and well.

Sergeant Coutts continued: “There are any number of tasks we can be called upon to complete or assist with. In the past we have helped take injured people to hospital following road traffic collisions and have supported neighbouring forces with incidents they are dealing with.

“We can patrol areas to assist crime prevention or guide officers on the ground to remote incidents and provide information to those pursuing suspects.

“Hopefully this new website will show the people of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland the breadth and depth of the things we do to in support of the fight against crime.”

Visit http://helicopter.leics.police.uk to find out more.