Herts Police have confirmed why a helicopter was circling in the early hours after residents questioned what was happening on social media.

The chopper was called to Kings Langley and Boxmoor after reports that a man in his 30s was missing from Hemel Hempstead at around 5am today (June 8).

He was eventually found safe in Chipperfield just before 7am, police confirmed.

Facebook groups were flooded with comments asking why the helicopter was out so early.

One person said: “It’s been going on since 6.30am”, while another described how they saw police cars in the Chipperfield area.

Someone added: “I have to say the police seemed to have dealt with him very tactfully.

“It took them a good 45 minutes of talking to him to get him in the car. They didn’t coerce him and let him talk, and eventually he got in of his own volition.”

Police appeal

In an unrelated incident, police have called for a driver to come forward after a cyclist was hospitalised with “serious injuries” after a hit-and-run.

The crash was in Valley Road, at the junction with Berry Lane, Rickmansworth, at around 7.40pm on June 3.

Information and footage can be given online, via email to victoria.robinson@herts.police.uk, or by calling 101, quoting ISR 739 of 3 June, 2023.