Low-flying police helicopter pilot faces no action over motorbike pursuit
Footage shared on social media shows a National Police Air Service (NPAS) helicopter in pursuit of a motorcyclist in Merseyside on August 13.
Merseyside police were called to reports of a man riding in a 'dangerous and reckless manner' near Carr Mill Dam.
The NPAS helped police by tracking the motorcycle for more than an hour, providing continuous updates to officers on the ground. The helicopter crew had lowered their altitude with the intention to land but the pursuit continued and they climbed again, the NPAS said. After an internal review, the NPAS was 'satisfied that the crew acted appropriately'.
Chief Superintendent Fiona Gaffney of the NPAS, said: 'This was a legitimate policing task in support of public safety and crime prevention. Once in a safe location, the crew recorded the decision to lower altitude with the intention of landing. As the motorcyclist continued to make off, the landing was discontinued and the aircraft accelerated before climbing away. This is an accepted take-off manoeuvre.'
She added: 'Following a full internal review of the aircraft footage, radio comms and operational decisions, we're satisfied the crew acted appropriately and within regulations.'
NPAS helicopters typically fly at between 60 and 150 metres during routine patrols but can go lower when pursuing a vehicle or conducting surveillance.
Gaffney said: 'The fast-paced and unpredictable nature of vehicle pursuits can require crews to make rapid decisions to ensure public safety. We have robust procedures in place to support these decisions and safety remains our highest priority. We continue to work closely with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to ensure all relevant standards and procedures are upheld.'
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A CAA spokesman said it was aware of the incident and would 'review the outcome and the processes that were followed'.
A 33-year-old man from Rainford was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, driving a motor vehicle that had been taken without the owner's consent, driving whilst disqualified, failing to stop, using a motor vehicle on a road or public place without third-party insurance and conspiring to intentionally or recklessly cause a public nuisance.
A 32-year-old man from St Helens was arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle and assisting an offender. Both men have been released under investigation.
The NPAS provides air support to all police forces in England and Wales with its 23 aircraft. They help track suspects, manage vehicle pursuits from the air, support officers on the ground, provide aerial surveillance and help locate vulnerable people.
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