With a candle lit marriage proposal and over 8,000 call-outs the Met Police’s three helicopters had a busy 2014.
Officially called the Air Support Unit (ASU), the busy team of pilots, engineers, operations officers and observers have attended 8,812 incidents, assisted in the arrest of 1,686 suspects and located 169 missing people.
The team are also behind the popular @MPSinthesky Twitter account which often tweets impressive pictures to more than 100,000 followers as the helicopters soar 10,000ft over the capital.
As well as pictures of police work some of the most popular were images of the poppies at the Tower of London and a now iconic photo of Canary Wharf’s towers popping out of the fog.
They also managed to capture a marriage proposal in Gladstone Park, Dollis Hill in August with their infrared camera picking up candles which spelt out ‘Will you marry me?’.
Inspector Richard Brandon, said: “The ASU have had a busy, and at times an uncertain year, but I am so proud of each and every single member of the team, for their unwavering focus and determination to keep London safe from the sky.
“Our work is very varied and 2014 was certainly that, we were part of the policing operation at the Nato conference in Wales and we gave support during Remembrance Day and the 100th anniversary of the First World War.
“We were also extremely privileged to have had the most breathtaking views of the poppies during the major art installation at the Tower Of London.
“I would like to thank the public for their support and patience and we thank all our followers on @MPSinthesky, We’re glad you like what we’re doing and hope that you will continue to engage with us.”
