This is why a low flying plane circled over Kirkham, Preston, Leyland and Chorley

A small plane was spotted circling multiple times over Lancashire, leaving residents to speculate about what it was doing.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Many residents reported seeing a small plane circling over Kirkham, Preston, Leyland and Chorley on Tuesday night (April 19).

Screenshots from real-time flight trackers showed the plane circled approximately four times in each area before flying to Liverpool.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Those who witnessed the strange behaviour quickly took to social media to speculate about what it was up to.

Many residents reported seeing a small plane circling over Kirkham, Preston, Leyland and Chorley. (Photo by Rebecca Keane)Many residents reported seeing a small plane circling over Kirkham, Preston, Leyland and Chorley. (Photo by Rebecca Keane)
Many residents reported seeing a small plane circling over Kirkham, Preston, Leyland and Chorley. (Photo by Rebecca Keane)

“Anyone see that plane?,” one person said.

One resident responded: “Yeah, if you put it on flight radar it's a police plane from Doncaster heading to Blackpool.”

Another added: “Coming back towards Preston now on flight tracker.

“[It’s] now doing some more loops in the area, very strange.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Speaking to the Lancashire Post about the odd flight pattern, the National Police Air Service (NPAS) confirmed they were in the area looking for a missing teenager.

“They were also engaged in the football at Anfield,” a spokesman added.

What is the National Police Air Service (NPAS)?

According to Lancashire Police, it is a “nationally managed, regionally organised service to deliver vital air support to forces locally.”

It operates under a National Collaboration Agreement covering all the police areas in England and Wales.

They are often involved in searching for people who are missing, vulnerable or at risk.