THE police helicopter was reported over west Warrington last night, Wednesday, after being deployed to investigate an incident.

Residents in the Great Sankey and Chapelford areas said they heard and saw the helicopter late in the evening.

Cheshire Police has confirmed that it was deployed to assist the locating of a suspect in relation to an incident in Widnes.

A man suspected of attempting to steal a vehicle was subsequently found by a police dog hiding in a tree.

A spokesman for the force said: “Officers were called just before 9.15pm on Wednesday, October 26, following reports of an attempted theft at a garage on Foundry Lane, Widnes.

“Patrols, supported by the police helicopter and the dog unit, attended the scene and made a search of the area.

Warrington Guardian: PD Lex located the suspectPD Lex located the suspect (Image: Cheshire and North Wales Police Dogs)

“A police dog located a man in a tree nearby.

“The 40-year-old man from Beechwood, Wirral, was arrested on suspicion of attempt theft of a motor vehicle and fraudulently using a registration mark.

“He remains in custody, assisting police with their enquiries.”

Cheshire and North Wales Police Dogs unit added: “PD Lex and his handler assisted Widnes Police last night following an attempted theft of vehicle from a garage forecourt.

“The male fled, but after a lengthy search Lex found the suspect hiding up a tree. He continued searching and found discarded evidential property.”