Another Attack On A Police Helicopter
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,931
Likes: 142
From: Warrington, UK
Another Attack On A Police Helicopter
First Surrey, now the West Midlands aircraft gets attacked:
BBC NEWS | England | West Midlands | Arson attack on police helicopter
It's getting dangerous out there!
BBC NEWS | England | West Midlands | Arson attack on police helicopter
It's getting dangerous out there!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Scotland
I seem to remember GMP's chopper going U/S with bullet holes after being used as target practice a few years back.
Could be urban rumour but I think the local scroats were getting fed up with it spoiling their night-time fun so they took some pot shots at it from outside the compound.
Could be urban rumour but I think the local scroats were getting fed up with it spoiling their night-time fun so they took some pot shots at it from outside the compound.
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 188
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From: not entirely sure.....
OFFICERS from West Midlands Police have launched a criminal investigation after the force helicopter was targeted in an arson attack this morning.
The Fire Service were called by Air Traffic Control to the helicopter's landing site at Elmdon Airport in Birmingham at just before 2am this morning.
The front end of the helicopter appears to have been set on fire. The damage to the aircraft is currently being assessed.
An investigation was immediately launched. Forensic scene investigators and detectives have been working since the incident to establish what happened. Officers are working in conjunction with airport security and fire service.
Enquiries are ongoing into the fire, if anyone has any information about the incident they should contact police on 0845 113 5000.
While the investigation is ongoing we would like to reassure the public that we will continue to provide air support when necessary.
The damage to the helicopter is being assessed and we will be speaking to our insurers regarding the cost of repair.
The Fire Service were called by Air Traffic Control to the helicopter's landing site at Elmdon Airport in Birmingham at just before 2am this morning.
The front end of the helicopter appears to have been set on fire. The damage to the aircraft is currently being assessed.
An investigation was immediately launched. Forensic scene investigators and detectives have been working since the incident to establish what happened. Officers are working in conjunction with airport security and fire service.
Enquiries are ongoing into the fire, if anyone has any information about the incident they should contact police on 0845 113 5000.
While the investigation is ongoing we would like to reassure the public that we will continue to provide air support when necessary.
The damage to the helicopter is being assessed and we will be speaking to our insurers regarding the cost of repair.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,931
Likes: 142
From: Warrington, UK
Picture of the damage here:
Birmingham Post - News - West Midlands News - Arson attack on West Midlands police helicopter
Birmingham Post - News - West Midlands News - Arson attack on West Midlands police helicopter
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 482
Likes: 44
From: 3nm SE of TNT, UK
Non PC,
You have to bear in mind that your average Police Officer at ACC level hasn't got the foggiest of either a). What a helicopter is or, b). What exactly it is capable of never mind how much it costs to repair.
You have to bear in mind that your average Police Officer at ACC level hasn't got the foggiest of either a). What a helicopter is or, b). What exactly it is capable of never mind how much it costs to repair.
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 151
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From: sans frontieres
Looks like a challenge has been thrown forth.
There can be no 1-0 result here. IMHO
How many slaps in the face can plods take. They've more patience than this humble writer.
DD
There can be no 1-0 result here. IMHO
How many slaps in the face can plods take. They've more patience than this humble writer.
DD
Last edited by PO dust devil; 8th June 2009 at 17:30. Reason: Added more indignant comment.
Joined: Apr 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 10,959
Likes: 1,814
From: EGDC
Bad Shytorque, naughty Shytorque
The senior policeman thinks it might be an arson attack - no !!!!! Sherlock.
The airport authorities are confident their security meets the required standards - errrrrr?How do they conclude that when someone has got in and trashed the helo?
The senior policeman thinks it might be an arson attack - no !!!!! Sherlock.
The airport authorities are confident their security meets the required standards - errrrrr?How do they conclude that when someone has got in and trashed the helo?
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 696
Likes: 10
From: Shropshire
The airport authorities are confident their security meets the required standards - errrrrr?How do they conclude that when someone has got in and trashed the helo?
Cheers
TeeS
P.S. Sorry to be flippant guys, I can imagine how you feel.
Last edited by TeeS; 8th June 2009 at 18:11.
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 114
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From: The Middle bit
Much as I would like to join in with a lively debate on some of the issues already being high-lighted in this incident, suffice as to say this is a major crime scene and a major criminal investigation is underway. It is wholly in-appropriate for those in the industry to speculate on any of the issues that drive such a devastating criminal act, and vitally important that the investigating team are allowed to carry out their work without distractions.
It may however be the case that a number of Police units within the UK take a long hard look at there own security arrangements, given the nature of this catastrophic incident.
Hnh
It may however be the case that a number of Police units within the UK take a long hard look at there own security arrangements, given the nature of this catastrophic incident.
Hnh
Joined: May 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 18,633
Likes: 1,072
From: Downeast
Just why is it they think it was arson?
Signs of accelerant?
Evidence of suspects seen toting a Flimsy of Petrol and smoking a fine Cuban Cigar?
Someone drop a cigarette lighter with his name on it?
Makes one wonder why your ordinary street thug or second story man would would want to poke the Plod in the eye like this?
DC electrics being what they are....shy of some solid evidence of arson I would be looking at an electrical fire that got away without being observed until it had gotten well advanced first then start on the arson avenue.
Reckon the price of a bit of fencing, barbed wire, and a few motion sensors combined with one of the Big Brother TV cameras the country is covered with would have saved a bundle of money. For that matter, a Plod could have been stationed there all night for years for what this will cost.
Signs of accelerant?
Evidence of suspects seen toting a Flimsy of Petrol and smoking a fine Cuban Cigar?
Someone drop a cigarette lighter with his name on it?
Makes one wonder why your ordinary street thug or second story man would would want to poke the Plod in the eye like this?
DC electrics being what they are....shy of some solid evidence of arson I would be looking at an electrical fire that got away without being observed until it had gotten well advanced first then start on the arson avenue.
Reckon the price of a bit of fencing, barbed wire, and a few motion sensors combined with one of the Big Brother TV cameras the country is covered with would have saved a bundle of money. For that matter, a Plod could have been stationed there all night for years for what this will cost.