Police have confirmed why a helicopter was “circling” over an area of Watford last night, after locals claimed they were “driven mad”.

Residents in the Courtlands area of North Watford reported being disturbed by a police helicopter overhead at around 10pm to 11pm last night (April 2).

Today, Hertfordshire Constabulary explained that the helicopter was out in relation to a search for a missing person.

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Multiple locals reported the noise was driving them "mad", including some whose children were kept awake by it, with the helicopter apparently also causing dogs to start loudly barking.

Others were concerned about recent crime, as they said helicopters circling at night were “becoming a very regular occurrence”.

A police helicopter had been called to Byewaters, in Croxley Green on March 16, in relation to reports of a crime.

A few days earlier, on March 13, a helicopter was spotted overhead around Meriden, also in relation to reports of a crime.