THE GMP helicopter is a regular sight above Bolton, just three minutes' flight from its heli-pad.
Police statistics show the aircraft was involved in 170 searches over the town last year, in addition to eight car chases.
Crew members helped secure the arrest of 25 people, find one missing person and were called out to five firearms incidents. Since it was brought into service in 1989 the helicopter has made more than 25,000 flights, flown 9,240 hours and helped find 3,500 offenders.
In the last two years it has been responsible for recovering more than £3 million worth of stolen property.
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