Police helicopter over Blackbird Leys this morning

1:02pm Sunday 24th February 2013 in News Photograph of the Author By Freddie Whittaker, covering Politics and Kidlington. Call me on 01865 425498

A POLICE helicopter has been spotted over Blackbird Leys this morning.

But Thames Valley Police has refused to explain exactly why.

The helicopter was seen over the estate at around 11.30am, and a police spokesman confirmed it had been involved in searching for an individual, who by 1pm had been found.

But the spokesman told the Oxford Mail it was a “non event”, and refused to clarify whether officers were searching for a missing person or a suspected criminal, saying no further information would be released.

He added: “I’m not going to disclose any more information about it".

Comments(26)

Sandy Wimpole-Smythe says...
2:15pm Sun 24 Feb 13

And ? It was over there yesterday, last week, the week before and it no doubt will be again on regular occasions, its not worth getting wound up about Mr Whittaker.

In fact if Thames Valley Police had any sense and really wanted to save some money it is there so often there would be a heli-pad built on the estate.

Report this post »

benjamin says...
2:47pm Sun 24 Feb 13

This is news?

Report this post »

marston old boy says...
2:48pm Sun 24 Feb 13

I have just seen an ice cream going south on the A34......update to follow!

Report this post »

BirderSue says...
2:57pm Sun 24 Feb 13

My first thought when I read this was, AND? Looks like I'm not alone.

Must admit, this little article is a waste of space.

Now I did see a Red Kite over Blackbird Leys. How's that?!!

Report this post »

Andrew:Oxford says...
3:50pm Sun 24 Feb 13

Sandy Wimpole-Smythe wrote:
And ? It was over there yesterday, last week, the week before and it no doubt will be again on regular occasions, its not worth getting wound up about Mr Whittaker.

In fact if Thames Valley Police had any sense and really wanted to save some money it is there so often there would be a heli-pad built on the estate.
No chance!

There's absolutely no way the CPRE would condone the covering of any green space in BBL, or anywhere else in Oxford with a helipad.

(Even though there used to be an airfield within a quarter mile).

Report this post »

Andrew:Oxford says...
3:55pm Sun 24 Feb 13

BirderSue wrote:
My first thought when I read this was, AND? Looks like I'm not alone.

Must admit, this little article is a waste of space.

Now I did see a Red Kite over Blackbird Leys. How's that?!!
Red Kites are quite prolific in and around Oxford.

Report this post »

TypicalStudent says...
5:07pm Sun 24 Feb 13

This is a new low in local news, even the police are calling it a "non-event" instead of taking the opportunity to push some high visiblity policing or a new campaign.
I'm amazed Oxford Mail can afford to pay such journalists that consider this news worthy.

Report this post »

WallingfordDave says...
5:21pm Sun 24 Feb 13

You join us for continuing coverage from Yosemite National Park, where there have been eye-witness accounts of a bear, curling one off in a woodland habitat.

Report this post »

UhummIt_AislePlayIt says...
7:09pm Sun 24 Feb 13

The ice cream was going NORTH, actually. I wish people woulod get their facts right.

Report this post »

BirderSue says...
10:50pm Sun 24 Feb 13

Andrew:Oxford wrote:
BirderSue wrote:
My first thought when I read this was, AND? Looks like I'm not alone.

Must admit, this little article is a waste of space.

Now I did see a Red Kite over Blackbird Leys. How's that?!!
Red Kites are quite prolific in and around Oxford.
A bit like helicopters then.

Report this post »

Andrew:Oxford says...
7:03am Mon 25 Feb 13

BirderSue wrote:
Andrew:Oxford wrote:
BirderSue wrote:
My first thought when I read this was, AND? Looks like I'm not alone.

Must admit, this little article is a waste of space.

Now I did see a Red Kite over Blackbird Leys. How's that?!!
Red Kites are quite prolific in and around Oxford.
A bit like helicopters then.
Indeed.

With RAF Benson just a few miles south and the the regular air ambulance visits to the John Radcliffe from the "killer junctions" on the A34.

Helicopters over the skies of Oxford are quite common.

Report this post »

Anna_star9 says...
8:10am Mon 25 Feb 13

Oh, is it April 1st already? I must have my calendar all wrong. Come on Oxford Snail, this is turning into a real snooze paper.

Report this post »

Vernon Spools says...
9:11am Mon 25 Feb 13

I'd been concerned if there wasn't one, it might suggest someone had stolen TVP's toy. This is so non-news. Not a day goes past without a helicopter or a police car racing round!

Report this post »

bart-on simpson says...
9:24am Mon 25 Feb 13

How much to fill up the TVP helicopter with fuel?

Report this post »

King Joke says...
10:53am Mon 25 Feb 13

Is it REALLY cheaper to keep a helicopter hovering over a housing estate for an hour, as opposed to sending a Sherpa-load of woodentops up there to scour the area on foot? How much does it cost to run a chopper for an hour?

You only ever see TVP in vehicle of some sort. They leave the legwork to the PCSOs.

Report this post »

Myron Blatz says...
3:18pm Mon 25 Feb 13

Does anyone know if the Red Kytes over Blackbird Leys have been CRB-checked, and meet the rigorous H&S standards imposed by City Council?

Report this post »

JanetJ says...
6:51pm Mon 25 Feb 13

I wonder how many PCSO's were actually on duty on a Sunday morning- never mind PC's. Not enough to fill a Sherpa I imagine.

Report this post »

Bogdan The MeerKat says...
9:09pm Mon 25 Feb 13

UhummIt_AislePlayIt wrote:
The ice cream was going NORTH, actually. I wish people woulod get their facts right.
I wish people would learn to correct their typos.

Report this post »

King Joke says...
8:32am Tue 26 Feb 13

JanetJ wrote:
I wonder how many PCSO's were actually on duty on a Sunday morning- never mind PC's. Not enough to fill a Sherpa I imagine.
If not, why not? Surely replacing boots on the ground with helicopters is more expensive?

Report this post »

Dilligaf2010 says...
7:44pm Tue 26 Feb 13

The Police don't use Sherpas anymore, they've not been made for years, either ;-p

Report this post »

King Joke says...
8:11pm Tue 26 Feb 13

LDV Pilots then, isn't that what they use?

Report this post »

Marko101 says...
12:43am Thu 28 Feb 13

Dear Freddie,

You're not very good at your job. Please resign.

Regards,

Marko.......

Report this post »

Simon33 says...
5:15pm Thu 28 Feb 13

£456.

Report this post »

King Joke says...
8:37am Fri 1 Mar 13

Is that an hour in the chopper?

Report this post »

boagongrui says...
7:56pm Wed 20 Mar 13

It would be news if there it did not fly over Blackbird Leys.

Report this post »

boagongrui says...
7:58pm Wed 20 Mar 13

boagongrui wrote:
It would be news if there it did not fly over Blackbird Leys.
It would be news if it did not fly over Blackbird Leys.
Sorry for the typo

Report this post »

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree