POLICE officers have revealed why a helicopter circled a Basingstoke estate for nearly an hour earlier this week. 

On Tuesday, August 15, residents who live in the Rooksdown area spotted a police helicopter circling their homes at approximately 10.20pm. 

People also reported on Facebook that police cars were also spotted in the estate along Park Prewett Road and near Roman Road roundabout.  

The helicopter remained over the area for approximately 40 minutes, circling the homes as well as Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital.

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Hampshire police have confirmed to the Gazette that officers were in pursuit of a Vauxhall vehicle.

The vehicle had been reported stolen from an address in Selby Walk, Basingstoke, on August 12. 

A spokesperson said: "Officers followed the vehicle along Ringway West and various parts of Rooksdown, before it left Basingstoke. 

"A police helicopter was deployed to help with the pursuit and it was stood down just after 11pm." 

On Wednesday, August 16, police officers seized the vehicle and arrested a 26-year-old man and another man, 25, on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle.

The two men have since been released with no further action, officers have confirmed.