Police helicopter helps make nine arrests
Nine people have been arrested after the police helicopter helped officers in two incidents.
Police were called to Mansion Crescent in Smethwick yesterday afternoon after a member of the public noticed occupants of a white Jaguar with windows smashed and a Seat Leon acting suspiciously.
It was quickly determined both cars were stolen only days earlier. The National Police Air Service were close by, so were able to offer officers on the ground an air view of the on-going incident.
The group tried to make off in the Seat, before ditching the car and running into nearby roads and gardens.
The police helicopter kept close tabs on the suspects, meaning officers were quickly able to track them down resulting in the arrest of three men and a teenage boy.
In a second incident in the early hours of this morning, officers spotted a stolen Seat Ibiza on false plates, which failed to stop on the M6 and was being driven in excess of 100mph as well travelling on the hard shoulder.
The helicopter was called on to track the car, which assisted the officers in deploying a stinger, bringing the car to a stop in Staffordshire. Five teenagers, aged between 14 and 16, were arrested at the scene on suspicion of robbery and theft.
All nine people remain in police custody today as investigations continue.
