The reason why a police helicopter descended on an Oxfordshire town.
People reported seeing a police helicopter land close to Oxlease in Witney on Tuesday morning while police cars were also spotted nearby.
Leader of Witney Town Council Ruth Smith saw the helicopter and snapped a photograph of it which she later posted on X.
“I rounded the corner to Oxlease this evening to find the police helicopter landed. It started its rotors and took off a few minutes later,” she added in the post.
“I don't know what was happening. I hope and pray it's nothing newly awful, sad and tragic. But it's undoubtedly rare to see it close up.”
The National Police Air Service has revealed that the helicopter was there to aid Thames Valley Police locate a missing man in the area.
A spokesperson for the service said: “At 3.07pm on Tuesday, March 12, a police helicopter crew from NPAS Benson was deployed to the Witney area to support Thames Valley Police in a missing person search.
“Having located the man, the crew landed at the scene to assist in the administration of first aid.
“Total flying time was two hours and 27 minutes.
“The Thames Valley Police log number is 1174 of 12 March 2024.”
The Oxford Mail has contacted Thames Valley Police for further comment.
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