THE crew of the Henlow-based police helicopter has been praised after helping officers on the ground arrest a teenager who, it is alleged, put lives at risk speeding through streets, riding on paths and parks on a suspected stolen motorbike. The incident

THE crew of the Henlow-based police helicopter has been praised after helping officers on the ground arrest a teenager who, it is alleged, put lives at risk speeding through streets, riding on paths and parks on a suspected stolen motorbike.

The incident was reported on Wednesday evening when officers were called to Warden Hill in Luton following complaints by residents about youths riding motorcycles and a quad bike on private land.

The force helicopter crew at RAF Henlow was scrambled and successfully maintained visual contact with the teenager, who wasn't wearing a helmet, and sped to other areas east of Luton and around the airport. During the ground chase the youth weaved erratically through traffic, say police, rode over a roundabout and cut through alleys, footpaths and three parks putting children and pedestrians at risk.

The youth eventually dumped the machine but the helicopter managed to guide ground forces who eventually arrested the youth on suspicion of theft.

Pc Kelly Hawkes, from the Stopsley Safer Neighbourhood team, said the offender could not have been caught without helicopter support saying: "It was neither safe nor practical for police vehicles to follow the motorcycle, but the crew provided us with an excellent commentary from the air."

Pc Tim Aldous-Ball, from the Henlow helicopter unit known as XA99, said: "We know just how much trouble nuisance motorcyclists cause the public and our Safer Neighbourhood Teams and we were delighted to be able to help on this occasion.

"The warning to nuisance bikers is we will deploy whenever we can and you will be caught.