Thieves steal half a helicopter

Thieves stole part of a helicopter from an airfield, police said.

The rear half of the former Army Gazelle aircraft was taken from a secure compound at Long Marston airfield, Warwickshire.

The green-coloured 21ft-long section was due to be relocated to another airfield when it was taken sometime between March 23 and yesterday. The front half had already been removed, Warwickshire Police said.

A force spokesman said: "Police investigating the theft would like to hear from anyone who has seen any suspicious activity in the area or knows the whereabouts of the stolen part."