A police helicopter crew has defended itself after several complaints were made in London about the aircraft being too noisy.
The National Police Air Service (NAPS) London branch said crews know "only too well how noisy the helicopter is", adding that the helicopter is only used "for a very good reason".
Police helicopters can be used to find a missing person or a suspect, or for a medical evacuation, for example.
In a lengthy statement posted on X the force said on Monday: “We know everyone’s local social media groups go wild shouting ‘helicopter’ when we are around. We also understand you all want to know what we are up to.
“Sadly, we are not always able to share what we are doing… If we can share details with you, we will.
“Our crews know only too well how noisy the helicopter is and we sympathise. We also get woken up sometimes on our days off.
“We always try to fly as neighbourly as possible, particularly late at night and in the summer when everyone has their windows open.”
The NAPS told Londoners: “If we are flying in your neighbourhood then please take our word, it will be for a very good reason.”
This was the start of last nights running race after a pursuit with @MetTaskforce 2:TSG in @MPSHaringey. Driver discarded a large Rambo knife into a school playground, out of sight of chasing officers (unluckily for him - seen by us). Detained & knife recovered by a dog unit 👍 pic.twitter.com/clYb6rCkRk
— NPAS London (@NPASLondon) January 4, 2024
The service explained that the altitude at which it flies and how loud its helicopter is, are determined by factors such as the weather, air traffic restrictions and the tasks they have to carry out.
The statement added: “London has one of the busiest airports in the world and Air Traffic Control work very hard to avoid mid-air collisions and keep us all safe, whilst allowing us to continue doing our job.
“The viability of every task we attend goes through various stages of scrutiny and remains under constant review by the crew ensuring we remain overhead for only as long as is necessary.”
The NAPS also reported that its crew had to deal with "another laser attack" close to Heathrow Airport in October.
The crew has recently helped the Metropolitan Police search for a person reported to be in the water at Tower Bridge as well as spotting a suspect discarding a “large Rambo knife” into a school playground following a car chase in Haringey.
A crew also helped officers in Chiswick search the area for two young missing children.
Following the Tower Bridge incident, the force said: “Apologies to those that were disturbed, but we will always make every effort to save someone's life if it is in danger.”
Following several recent enquiries/complaints about our noise….
— NPAS London (@NPASLondon) January 22, 2024
Attached is some information, which may help clear a few things up.
Feel free to share on whatever social media platform you wish 👍 pic.twitter.com/kwbGxiTPkC
The service has received wide-ranging support following the social media post on Monday defending the helicopter noise.
One person wrote: “Shouldn’t need saying, yes it can be inconvenient sometimes but the crews don’t just say ‘shall we go out for a spin in the petrol pigeon’.”
A second told the helicopter crew: “As if your job isn’t difficult enough without having to provide this justification. Keep doing what you’re doing.”
While a third added: “No better noise than the police helicopter over your house at night, they’re keeping us safe and trying to save lives. Some people.”
The NAPS responded to 4,621 incidents across the country where there was an immediate threat to life, a crime in action, or a national, or terrorism threat - according to its website.
The average time to reach a scene from receiving a call was 12 minutes, 18 seconds.
