A 16-year-old has been arrested after reports of a stolen car sparked a police response including an aerial search.
The National Police Air Service helicopter was seen circling over east Bristol last night, with residents in Speedwell, Eastville, Fishponds, Downend, Staple Hill and Emersons Green among those to hear it pass overheard.
It was airborne for more than half an hour and police have now confirmed the crew was searching for a car that was allegedly stolen from Gwent in Wales.
Gwent Police received a report of a car stolen from Greenmeadow in Cwmbran at around 7.45pm last night (Wednesday, January 7).
The car was reported to have entered the Bristol area so Avon and Somerset Police assisted the search.
At 8.11pm, a police helicopter crew from NPAS Almondsbury was deployed to assist the police.
Gwent Police confirmed that Avon and Somerset Police located and arrested a 16-year-old boy from the Cwmbran area.
The force reported that the boy was arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, dangerous driving and failing to stop for police.
He remained in police custody as of this afternoon.
Police helicopter route -Credit:adsbexchange.com
A spokesperson for Gwent Police said: “We received a report of stolen car from Greenmeadow, Cwmbran at around 7.45pm on Wednesday 7 January.
“ANPR checks revealed that the car had entered the Avon and Somerset area.
“With the assistance of National Police Air Service, Avon and Somerset Police officers located and arrested a 16-year-old boy from the Cwmbran area.
“He was arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, dangerous driving and failing to stop for police, and remains in police custody at this time.”
A spokesperson for the National Police Air Service said: “At 2011hrs on 7 January 2026, a police helicopter crew from NPAS Almondsbury were deployed to support Avon and Somerset Police in a search for a vehicle in the Bristol area.
“Total flying time on the task was around 34 minutes.”