Flight radar shows the path of the aeroplane over three parts of the city
NPAS planes have been repeatedly circling parts of Cardiff on Friday(Image: https://www.flightradar24.com/)
A National Police Air Service (NPAS) plane has been circling parts of Cardiff for hours on Friday. NPAS planes have been circling the Ely, Gabalfa and Rumney areas of Cardiff since around 4pm today.
Flight tracking system FlightRadar shows the particular plane above Cardiff at this time, left its base shortly before 7pm and during its flight has focused on those three areas. It has also circled above the city centre and St Mellons.
A spokesperson for NPAS said: “Our fixed wing team base from East Midlands Airport are operating in the South West region for tonight supporting forces and currently supporting South Wales Police with various incidents across the force area.” Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here
South Wales Police have been contacted to ask for further details.
One resident, who lives near Gabalfa, said: “It felt like it was up circling for hours over Gabalfa and the surrounding areas and then we could hear it in the distance. I really hope it is something to do with the electric bikers who have been plaguing the area for weeks now.”
In recent weeks there have been a number of concerns raised about e-bikes in parts of Cardiff, and the anti-social behaviour of riders on the Taff Trail. Balaclava-wearing e-bikers carried out series of robberies and attacks in Cardiff.
Police increased patrols in the areas after reports that young men dressed in balaclavas riding electric scooters were threatening and robbing cyclists or walkers using the busy walking route.
At the end of May, police issued a dispersal order in Gabalfa, after residents had described fears over dangerous bike riding and anti-social behaviour.
The order gave officers additional powers to direct people to leave a designated area and not return for a set period where anti-social behaviour is suspected. It covered streets such as Gabalfa Avenue, Aberporth Road, Waterston Road and Cathedral View.
According to the South Wales Police website, officers’ main priorities as of March 2026 are: drug dealing and using, anti-social behaviour and e-bike related theft.