THE POLICE helicopter caused a buzz in Newcastle on the weekend when it was based in the city, responding to a house party, reports of burnouts and more than a dozen other operations.
The NSW Police Force's Aviation Command, known as PolAir, was based in Newcastle full-time on Friday and Saturday under an operation codenamed Vikings.
The police helicopter proved helpful as it backed local officers on the ground on 18 different jobs they were tasked to.
PolAir helped track down and find seven offenders and three missing people.
It was credited with providing crucial updates to police during three traffic incidents, including alleged burnouts at Kooragang, and one car crash.
The chopper also helped break up a "large crowd in Merewether" after a house party, which led to the arrest of three people.
Police responded to a noise complaint at Hillcrest Road at Merewether just after 10pm on Saturday, September 28.
Newcastle police went to the scene and discovered a large crowd of people on the road.
Police dispersed the group with the backing of PolAir from above and issued move-on directions.
An 18-year-old man was arrested and issued with infringement notices for offensive language, and failing to comply with a police direction.
A 17-year-old girl was arrested for using offensive language, and failing to comply with a police direction. She will be dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.
A second 18-year-old man was arrested in relation to a "breach of the peace" before being released.
In the early hours of Saturday morning, police received reports that vehicles were conducting burnouts on Greenleaf Road at Kooragang.
The police helicopter was the first unit at the scene and identified a white sedan allegedly being driven dangerously and travelling at a high speed.
Highway patrol officers were directed to the location of the car and spoke with a 21-year-old man.
He allegedly returned a positive preliminary roadside breath test, and was arrested before being taken to Newcastle Police Station, where he allegedly returned a positive blood alcohol reading of 0.084.
He was issued a future court attendance notice for mid-range drink driving and dangerous driving. He will appear before Newcastle Local Court in November.
