Police helicopter tracker: see why it is circling

Is a helicopter circling over your street? This radar shows only helicopters currently flying over the UK; aeroplanes are hidden. Click a helicopter for its callsign, type, altitude and speed, often with a photo of the aircraft. Police helicopters, operated in England and Wales by the National Police Air Service, typically circle tightly over one area while their camera watches the ground.

Why is a police helicopter over my area?

Common reasons are searches for suspects or missing people, vehicle pursuits and support at large events. Circling usually means the crew is holding a camera view of one location. The radar shows you live exactly which streets it is orbiting.

Is it the police or an air ambulance?

Check the popup. Air ambulances tend to fly directly to an incident and land, while police helicopters orbit. Both mostly fly Airbus H135 and H145 types, so the flight pattern is the best clue.

Why can I hear a helicopter but not see it on the radar?

The radar shows helicopters that transmit their position. Low-flying helicopters drop out of receiver range at times, and on certain police operations the aircraft transmits less. Check again a few minutes later.

See also the live UK flight tracker or Heathrow arrivals.