Middleton Cub Scouts enjoy visiting National Police Air Service

Middleton Cub Scouts at the National Police Air Service in Barton

Boys and girls from Middleton Cub Scouts spent the day with the National Police Air Service to learn how officers catch criminals from up in the air.

Officers showed the group of 19 children, aged between eight and 10, the camera and video equipment – good enough to spot someone “hiding in a wheelie bin.”

The officers were called out to a job in the middle of the visit – but that meant that the children got to see a police helicopter take off in a real life situation.

Cub Scout leader Neil McClure said: “The crew were amazing with the children, they really took time with them showing them the helicopter and the technology they have being able to film from so far up.

“They really loved it – they even got to see some video footage taken from up in the air. It was interesting to see how they can even see suspects hiding in wheelie bins from way up there.”

He added: “The kids got a lot out of it, the crew were brilliant with them. In the middle of the visit they got a call and had to take off, this was really exciting for them. They hovered for a second to let them take photos.”

The National Police Air Service has a base in Barton.