The National Police Air Service helicopter is in attendance at an incident near Whitcombe this afternoon (Thursday).
The NPAS helicopter has joined several units on the ground in the vicinity of Whitcombe Manor and Whitecroft in what appears to be a search.
2 units from Hampshire Constabulary are currently positioned on Whitcombe Road, with a further 2 units stationed at a gateway to an estate on Sandy Lane.
The NPAS helicopter has been circling an area of open field between Nunnery Lane and Sandy Lane for approximately 30 minutes.
It is currently unknown as to what or whom is being searched for.
UPDATE @ 13:18 – Officers are currently focusing their attention on a field next to the Isle of Wight Deer Farm.
Units can be seen progressing through the field with the helicopter still circling above.
1 unit has relocated to nearby Nunnery Lane, which is now blocked to traffic due to police vehicles being parked on the single track lane.
Island Echo understands that officers are searching for a male wearing grey shorts, with residents in the area being spoken to by officers.
UPDATE @ 14:11 – Officers have conducted a large-scale search of footpaths and fields in the areas of Sandy Lane and Nunnery Lane, with police units also searching a nearby industrial complex at Mountjoy.
Dog walkers and members of the public in the vicinity of the search have been spoken to by officers and issued with a description of the male being sought.
The NPAS helicopter has now stood down from the search and headed back across the Solent to its base in Bournemouth.
UPDATE @ 15:10 – Hampshire Constabulary has confirmed that the search followed a potential burglary at a property in Whitcombe Road.
Officers are said to have been searching following a member of the public’s discovery of an unknown male in their shed.
It’s understood that the large-scale search involving a number of police units has now been stood down but officers continue to make enquiries to locate him.
Another one escapes capture.,
if the police are willing to give the chap’s description to dog walkers & passers by
what about appealing for registered volunteers to join the search in a case like this, on a ‘don’t approach’ him, but ring one of the attending officers mobile number.
If I got such a request, I’d be there like a shot. In a case like this NUMBERS would help.
Just typical. IF it was a poor person who was robbed, at BEST all we would get would be a ‘crime ref. no’ and told to claim on our insurance. With a number for ‘victim support.
How different if you are rich you are treated by the police.