Police explain why aircraft circled over Wales for almost five hours

Police have explained why two aeroplanes were circling Cardiff for nearly five hours. Residents were puzzled by the constant sound of the twin-engine aircrafts between 5.30pm and 10pm on Wednesday.

Flight radar data revealed the presence of the National Police Aircraft Service (NPAS) above the city with one plane relieving another. The Vulcanair P.68R Victor aircraft travelled to the city from the Nottingham and Chester areas. NPAS provides all police forces in Wales with air support for a variety of tasks, including reconnaissance ahead of planned operations.

The authorities have now disclosed that the aircrafts were conducting a "pre-planned operation" and assisting in the search for a missing person. They stated it had no connection to the Royal visit at the Senedd taking place on Thursday.

The NPAS further clarified why the aircraft were deployed in an update. Another plane launched from St Athan was aiding in the search operation in the Pontypridd area on Wednesday night flying for around 58 minutes, reports WalesOnline.

A spokesman for South Wales Police confirmed: "A National Police Air Service (NPAS) aeroplane was deployed to support South Wales Police in the Cardiff area as part of a pre-planned operation. NPAS provides essential support for policing across south Wales. Whilst we appreciate there is often interest from the public, especially in areas where the service is deployed, we are not always in a position to confirm the specific nature of that deployment for operational reasons."