Moment police helicopter flying just a few feet off the ground chased 'stolen' scrambler bike across a field after rider was 'caught speeding'
The helicopter appears to be just feet above the ground as it shadowed the rider through fields north of St Helens.
Merseyside Police said the bike was being driven in an 'extremely dangerous' manner, with the rider allegedly speeding, mounting pavements and nearly hitting a pedestrian.
A second man reportedly joined the rider on the bike as they fled officers along the A580 and through fields near a dam.
He later dismounted and was detained by officers on the ground, before the rider himself was arrested after running out of fuel. The bike was also seized.
Footage of the chase shared on TikTok shows the bike being closely followed by the helicopter through a field before it disappears behind some trees.
The National Police Air Service (NPAS) said the incident on August 13 was now being reviewed internally in consultation with the Civil Aviation Authority.
Chief Superintendent Fiona Gaffney, Chief Operating Officer at NPAS, said: 'We're aware of the video currently circulating on social media and the level of public interest it has generated.
'The circumstances are being thoroughly reviewed internally and in consultation with the Civil Aviation Authority to ensure all relevant standards and procedures have been followed.'
Helicopters are regularly used by police forces across the country, but may soon be replaced by cheaper high-tech alternatives.
One unmanned helicopter being trialled by the NPAS is capable of flying at a maximum height of 18,000ft, soaring through the air at 115mph and is able to stay airborne for up to six hours.
Police say is it 'not possible' to say how much one uncrewed aircraft costs, but the scheme is being funded by all police forces in England and Wales and the Home Office.
The NPAS said that the unmanned helicopter, a Schiebel Camcopter S-100, is larger than existing drones used by police forces and has a greater range.
'The type of aircraft we will be trialling is much larger, with the ability to carry similar mission equipment to a current police helicopter,' a spokesman said earlier this month.
'It will be able to fly beyond the sight of the controller.'
Night-time test flights are being conducted over the Bristol Channel and police believe the helicopters could be capable of staying in the air for up to 12 hours in the future - up from its current capability of six hours.
David Walters, NPAS head of futures and innovation, said: 'As technology advances, so too do the opportunities for police air support. This trial will test uncrewed aircraft capable of flying for up to six hours, equipped with mission systems comparable to those on our current fleet.
'If successful, this could pave the way for a highly capable and sustainable blended fleet of helicopters, aeroplanes and uncrewed aircraft.
'Our goal is to ensure the right tool is available at the right time, in the right place, to support policing across England and Wales.
'This represents an ambitious step toward a modern, innovative and best-value police aviation service, designed to meet the diverse needs of policing and communities.'
Mr Walters said 30 per cent of NPAS calls were to search for missing people, which the unmanned aircraft could be vital for.
It has a forward-facing camera for the pilot to monitor remotely from a base, while it uses a radar to detect other aircraft.
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