Helicopter called in over reports of shooting reports between Rotherham and Sheffield
Police attend reports in village between Sheffield and Rotherham
The police helicopter was called out over fears of shooting near a South Yorkshire village.
The National Police Air Service was over Harthill, between Sheffield and Rotherham, because of the concerns that people with guns had been firing at pigeons.
The aircraft joined a search of the area, along with South Yorkshire Police officers on the ground - but no suspect was found.
South Yorkshire Police said: “At 10.36am yesterday (July 26), we were called to reports of suspicious circumstances at Dowcarr Lane in Harthill.
“It is reported that a group of men were shooting pigeons in a field. Officers attended and found no evidence of offences being committed.”
The air service added: “At 11.09am on Sunday 26 July 2026, a police helicopter crew from NPAS Carr Gate was deployed to the Harthill area to assist South Yorkshire Police in a suspect search. Total flying time on the task was 20 minutes.”
It was the second report of shootings in the area that morning.
Derbyshire Constabulary had been called to Killamarsh in the early hours after reports of loud bangs, with officers unable to find evidence of guns being fired there, either.
The location, Rectory Road, Killamarsh, is only about a mile and a half from Dowcarr Lane.