Police helicopter circles Southend city centre in late-night search

Residents in Southend city centre were kept awake on Monday night as a police helicopter circled above the city during a late-night operation.

The aircraft, dispatched by the National Police Air Service (NPAS), spent around 30 minutes circling an area above Baxter Avenue and surrounding streets between 11.45pm and 12.15am.

At the same time, several police units were seen flooding the city centre, with officers on the ground working in coordination with the helicopter crew.

Essex Police have since confirmed the incident was linked to a missing person search. A spokesperson for the force said: “The missing person was thankfully located just before midnight.”

People living nearby described both the noise from the helicopter and the heavy police presence on the ground.

A Southend resident said: “Police were going through our gardens down Baxter Avenue. They were certainly looking hard for someone.”

How Police helicopters keep the country safe

The helicopter involved in Monday’s operation was from NPAS, which provides essential air support to police forces across England and Wales. One of its bases is located at North Weald in Essex, making it well placed to respond to incidents in the county.

The helicopters and their crews are tasked to a wide range of policing needs, including:

• Searching for high-risk missing people, including children and vulnerable adults
• Locating injured individuals or those in danger
• Tracking suspects and managing vehicle pursuits from the air
• Supporting counter-terrorism and specialist firearms operations
• Providing aerial surveillance during major public events or incidents

The advantage of aerial observation allows police commanders to see unfolding events in real time and make quick, informed decisions to direct ground units more effectively.

Equipped with high-tech cameras and operated by trained crews, NPAS helicopters are considered a vital tool in keeping communities across Essex and beyond safe.

How NPAS supports police forces

NPAS provides continuous air support to all police forces across England and Wales – 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

It operates a borderless service, meaning aircraft and crews can be deployed wherever they are needed most, including during major incidents and critical operations.

Flying at average speeds of 138mph, NPAS aircraft can quickly cover large distances, making them fast, flexible and often life-saving. The speed and vantage point provided from the air ensures valuable minutes are saved when every second counts.

Between April 2024 and March 2025, NPAS helped locate 1,376 vulnerable or missing people and assisted police in finding more than 4,200 suspects across England and Wales.