Latest news with #NPAS
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Police helicopter in near miss with US fighter jet
A police helicopter reported a near miss with a drone that was in fact a US jet fighter, a report said. The helicopter had been sent to the area around RAF Lakenheath, in Suffolk, last November following reports of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the area. The UK Airprox Board, which investigates near misses, concluded the pilot had misidentified red flashing lights belonging to an F-15 Eagle. The National Police Air Service (NPAS), which operated the helicopter, said there had been no risk of collision. The helicopter crew spotted the lights as they entered Lakenheath's airspace and then headed towards Bury St Edmunds. "Once they started heading in a westerly direction one of the 'drones' appeared to converge with them and fly above and in front of them," the report said. At one point the object appeared to overtake the helicopter. The pilot assessed the risk of collision as "medium". The two aircraft at one point came within 1,900ft (579m) of each other. Investigators highlighted how the crew on board the helicopter had not been told by RAF Lakenheath of the F-15's presence. The fighter pilot knew where the helicopter was but "it may have been particularly beneficial for the situational awareness of the EC135 pilot if the Lakenheath Approach Controller had passed reciprocal traffic information to them". Mystery drones seen over three US air bases in UK EC135 is a reference to the helicopter flown by NPAS, also known as the Eurocopter, though this model is now called the H135. The USAF said the controller's response was compliant with UK law and the F-15 pilot was in visual contact with the helicopter. At the time of the incident, on the evening of 22 November, the airbase had been at the centre of multiple reports of drone sightings. A police incident log from that day recorded how the helicopter had withdrawn from the area "due to a drone coming close to them". The helicopter's traffic collision avoidance system had also not detected the presence of the F-15s, the report noted. Ian Hudson, a drone commentator and analyst, said "This incident underlines serious concerns about lights in the night sky, planets, Starlink and navigation lights being misidentified as drones. "This incident would have officially remained as a drone were it not for the fact UK Airprox Board have collated the facts." The sightings of alleged drones over three airbases in the area at around the time of the incident are still being investigated by the Ministry of Defence Police. NPAS said its crew had been tasked by Suffolk police "to assist in the search for suspected drone activity in the Newmarket area". Ch Supt Vicki White said: "As noted in the report, and in the absence of any contradictory information, the crew acted on the belief that they were observing drone operations. "The crew demonstrated professionalism and sound judgement in identifying a potential hazard." A US Air Force spokesman said: "The USAF complied with UK air traffic control regulations and remained well clear while maintaining normal vertical separation distances. As noted in the report, the air traffic controllers provided the agreed services to pilots of both aircraft to ensure safety of flight operations." Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Police helicopter 'near miss' during drone alert Mystery drones seen over three US air bases in UK
BBC News
11 hours ago
- BBC News
Police helicopter in near miss with US jet over Lakenheath
A police helicopter reported a near miss with a drone that was in fact a US jet fighter, a report said. The helicopter had been sent to the area around RAF Lakenheath, in Suffolk, last November following reports of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the UK Airprox Board, which investigates near misses, concluded the pilot had misidentified red flashing lights belonging to an F-15 National Police Air Service (NPAS), which operated the helicopter, said there had been no risk of collision. The helicopter crew spotted the lights as they entered Lakenheath's airspace and then headed towards Bury St Edmunds. "Once they started heading in a westerly direction one of the 'drones' appeared to converge with them and fly above and in front of them," the report one point the object appeared to overtake the helicopter. The pilot assessed the risk of collision as "medium". The two aircraft at one point came within 1,900ft (579m) of each other. Investigators highlighted how the crew on board the helicopter had not been told by RAF Lakenheath of the F-15's fighter pilot knew where the helicopter was but "it may have been particularly beneficial for the situational awareness of the EC135 pilot if the Lakenheath Approach Controller had passed reciprocal traffic information to them". EC135 is a reference to the helicopter flown by NPAS, also known as the Eurocopter, though this model is now called the H135. The USAF said the controller's response was compliant with UK law and the F-15 pilot was in visual contact with the helicopter. At the time of the incident, on the evening of 22 November, the airbase had been at the centre of multiple reports of drone sightings. A police incident log from that day recorded how the helicopter had withdrawn from the area "due to a drone coming close to them".The helicopter's traffic collision avoidance system had also not detected the presence of the F-15s, the report noted. Ian Hudson, a drone commentator and analyst, said "This incident underlines serious concerns about lights in the night sky, planets, Starlink and navigation lights being misidentified as drones."This incident would have officially remained as a drone were it not for the fact UK Airprox Board have collated the facts." The sightings of alleged drones over three airbases in the area at around the time of the incident are still being investigated by the Ministry of Defence Police. NPAS said its crew had been tasked by Suffolk police "to assist in the search for suspected drone activity in the Newmarket area".Ch Supt Vicki White said: "As noted in the report, and in the absence of any contradictory information, the crew acted on the belief that they were observing drone operations."The crew demonstrated professionalism and sound judgement in identifying a potential hazard."A US Air Force spokesman said: "The USAF complied with UK air traffic control regulations and remained well clear while maintaining normal vertical separation distances. As noted in the report, the air traffic controllers provided the agreed services to pilots of both aircraft to ensure safety of flight operations." Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
16-05-2025
- BBC News
Man held after 'laser shone at police helicopter' over Grimsby
A man has been arrested on suspicion of shining a laser at a police crew reported a laser pen being shone at them and affecting their vision as they flew over the Grimsby area while searching for a missing person on Thursday at 21:50 BST.A spokesperson for Humberside Police said a 23-year-old man "was swiftly identified" and remained in helicopter was being operated by the National Police Air Service (NPAS), which responds to major and critical incidents. In a statement, NPAS said a laser had been "directed at the crew multiple times".Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
ITV News
15-05-2025
- ITV News
Police confirm body recovered in Llandudno is that of missing 16 year old boy
North Wales Police has confirmed that the body recovered during searches near Llandudno is that of a 16-year-old who has been missing for nearly a week. Athrun, aged 16, from South Gloucestershire, was on holiday in the Welsh town. Athrun's family have been informed and are being supported by officers. Chief Inspector Trystan Bevan said: 'Our thoughts are very much with Athrun's family, who wish to thank all agencies and members of the public for their overwhelming support with the search, and for not giving up on his recovery. 'This is not the outcome anyone hoped for, but we hope it can now provide some answers for Athrun's family. 'I continue to ask for their privacy to be respected at this incredibly difficult time.' He was last seen at around 2pm on Saturday, 10 May, on West Shore Beach in Llandudno. Multi-agency searches had been ongoing following the sighting of a body on the evening of 13 May. Searches conducted by the police underwater search team, NPAS and coastguard resulted in a body being recovered.
Wales Online
14-05-2025
- Wales Online
Body found off Welsh coast during search for teenage boy
Body found off Welsh coast during search for teenage boy North Wales Police have confirmed a body was recovered off the coast of Llandudno this evening Athrun went missing over the weekend while on a family holiday A body has been found off the coast of Llandudno during the search for a missing boy. North Wales Police this evening confirmed a body was recovered during the search for 16-year-old Athrun, who disappeared on Saturday, May 10 while on a family holiday to North Wales. A spokesperson for North Wales Police said: "A body has been recovered this evening during searches for missing 16-year-old Athrun. "Multi-agency searches resumed this evening, Wednesday May 14th, in the West Shore area of Llandudno following sighting of a body on Tuesday evening. "Searches conducted by the police underwater search team, NPAS and coastguard resulted in a body being recovered today at 6.20pm. "Formal identification is yet to take place, but Athrun's family have been informed and are being supported by officers. "The death is not being treated as suspicious, and the coroner has been informed." Article continues below Police were involved in the search (Image: David Powell/ReachPLC ) Chief Inspector Trystan Bevan said: 'My deepest condolences remain with Athrun's family, and I would ask for their privacy to be respected at this incredibly sad and difficult time. 'This is not the outcome anyone hoped for, and I would once again like to thank partner agencies and members of the public for their overwhelming support and tireless assistance with the searches over the last five days.' Article continues below Athrun, who was from the south Gloucestershire area, had last been seen close to the boating lake and playpark wearing blue and white patterned swim shorts. "Extensive" land, air and water searches were carried out by specialists from several agencies as soon as the missing person report was raised. On Tuesday, police said a body had potentially been sighted in the sea near Llandudno shortly after 7pm that day.
