Macro Photography and police helicopter

[christina]

Not sure if this is posted in the right forum, if so, I apologise.

I was in our garden about 30 minutes ago minding my own business and seeking out bugs, beetles and spiders to photograph when a police helicopter approached. I thought it was just passing by but, it turned, came back, lower this time, and just hung around over the garden. I gesticulated and mouthed GO AWAY (nothing rude), it went and came back again even lower . By the time I was able to photograph the unidentified fly on the lavender, the fly had flown.

My question is: who do I write to, to complain about the pilot's behaviour. He flew away and there was obviously no need for him to be hovering over our garden dropping his pollution on me and our garden? I took a pic of the helicopter which came out as Silhouette but with a bit of playing, I am sure I can get the number of the helicopter. I resent this kind of behaviour because what he did wasted time, taxpayers money on their salary and fuel and polluted more than was necessary. Rant over!

Thank you
Christina

[Dogghound]

I suspect that you would complain to the independent police complaints commission.

Independent Police Complaints Commission Home Page

[Lemars]

Not wishing to throw any doubts on your ability to show your displeasure, but could the pilot have mistaken your wave for some sort of indication that help was needed ?
Could he have returned to make sure he properly understood and that you weren't actually hailing him ??

Not having been there, of course, it's difficult to know and you're probably quite right - just sticking in my twopenneth worth.

[Blizzard]

It's quite possible that they were searching for someone. Either someone that had gone missing or a criminal.

I expect they were just doing their job.

Make a point of watching the news tonight and check your local paper, you might find out what they were doing.

[John D]

Originally Posted by christina

Not sure if this is posted in the right forum, if so, I apologise.

I was in our garden about 30 minutes ago minding my own business and seeking out bugs, beetles and spiders to photograph when a police helicopter approached. I thought it was just passing by but, it turned, came back, lower this time, and just hung around over the garden. I gesticulated and mouthed GO AWAY (nothing rude), it went and came back again even lower . By the time I was able to photograph the unidentified fly on the lavender, the fly had flown.

My question is: who do I write to, to complain about the pilot's behaviour. He flew away and there was obviously no need for him to be hovering over our garden dropping his pollution on me and our garden? I took a pic of the helicopter which came out as Silhouette but with a bit of playing, I am sure I can get the number of the helicopter. I resent this kind of behaviour because what he did wasted time, taxpayers money on their salary and fuel and polluted more than was necessary. Rant over!

Thank you
Christina

Hi Christina,

Don't just jump to conclusions, obtain some facts before you go any further.
Police helicopters aren't scrambled for the fun of it.

John D

[Deb London]

Originally Posted by John D

Hi Christina,

Don't just jump to conclusions, obtain some facts before you go any further.
Police helicopters aren't scrambled for the fun of it.

John D

Yes, I was going to say exactly the same thing.

A thought occurred to me. If I was a criminal, the first thing I'd want to say to the helicopter pilot would be go away. I'm thinking about how it might have looked, from the pilot's point of view.

[NickCantle]

Originally Posted by John D

Hi Christina,

Don't just jump to conclusions, obtain some facts before you go any further.
Police helicopters aren't scrambled for the fun of it.

John D

Echoed. Well said John.

[Stinky Bob]

Originally Posted by John D

Police helicopters aren't scrambled for the fun of it.

John D

Unless you live in Potters Bar where they are scrambled to track down a tesco shoplifter

[wizzo]

I'm guessing that you may have looked a bit suspicious, crouched in the undergrowth or even in a prone position maybe, as you were taking macro shots? In any case, you can't blame the police for checking you out and I don't imagine they will give any complaint a second look, in a situation like this. If I were you Christina, I'd just be gratefull that these lads and lasses are doing their best to protect us from the maggots, in these modern times. Wizzo

[SpikyPhasmid]

I was wandering around a churchyard/public garden outside my place on Sunday night at around 8:30, having a look at the plants, and a couple of cops approached me to ask if I was alright! In their words, I was "hovering around." Maybe it's a conspiracy?
Nah, just kidding. In all seriousness, I think they thought I was stoned. Contact your local police department and they might even be able to tell you what they were up to.