The National Police Air Service helicopter is taking part in a missing person search near Newport this afternoon (Saturday).
The black and yellow NPAS helicopter was first spotted above the skies of Newport at approximately 16:50 after arriving from its base in Bournemouth.
Its thought that the helicopter has been drafted in to provide aerial search capability to assist a search for a vulnerable missing person in the Newport and Carisbrooke area.
Ground units have been seen in areas of Newport including the Caesars Road and Recreation Ground Road areas.
It is not yet known whom is being sought or why.
UPDATE @ 17:35 – The Isle of Wight’s voluntary search and rescue team, WightSAR, has been called in to assist with the search with its team members assembling in part of Mountjoy Cemetery in Carisbrooke.
The search continues.
UPDATE @ 18:40 – Hampshire Constabulary has now launched an appeal to find 49-year-old Sara Plowman, who has been missing from Newport since yesterday (Friday).
Get the latest update on the missing person appeal here.
UPDATE @ 19:55 – The missing person has now been located and the search has now concluded.
