THE police helicopter was deployed to Warrington last night to help assist officers on the ground who were dealing with severe traffic delays across the town.

National Police Air Service Barton was called to the area yesterday, Thursday, at around 7.45pm to provide support as traffic chaos gripped the town. 

The northbound carriageway between junction 20 for the Lymm Interchange and junction 21 for Woolston was closed for emergency services to make repairs to the Thelwall Viaduct.

Emergency services had been on the scene since lunchtime and the carriageway was closed after a problem with the suspension joints on the bridge.

The closures were lifted at around 10pm.

At 8.15pm yesterday, Thursday, the police helicopter was called to help with a welfare search for a missing person in the town.

Police have since confirmed that the person has been found 'safe and well'.

It was a busy 24 hours for the team as the police helicopter was deployed following reports that a gang had broken into an industrial unit in Westbrook at 1am today, Friday.

After a search of the area by officers and with help from air support, four men, aged 21, 23, 33 and 37, were later detained at the services in Burtonwood.

All four have been arrested on suspicion of attempted burglary, going equipped to steal, failing to stop and theft of a motor vehicle.

The suspects are currently in police custody.