POLICE have confirmed that a low-flying plane circling Bradford yesterday was theirs.

Residents in the Shipley, Saltaire, Baildon and Bingley areas were left baffled after spotting an aeroplane doing a continuous loop around the area on Wednesday.

The FlightRadar24 app also showed the plane's bizarre repetitive route.

But West Yorkshire Police's Keighley Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) confirmed on Facebook late last night that the plane belonged to the force and was helping with a search.

The post said: "Earlier we received a lot of reports of a low flying aircraft over Shipley and Bingley.

"West Yorkshire Police were assisted by NPAS 82 with an ongoing search in the Shipley area.

"NPAS operate a mixed fleet of both fixed and rotary winged aircraft."

The National Police Air Service for the North East region (NPAS North East) also waded in on Twitter.

It is the first time the police plane has been used in the Shipley and Bingley area.

NPAS reassured people that the height the aircraft was flying at was within legal limits and safe.

The team's tweet said: "The fixed wing team appear to have introduced themselves to a new area tonight.

"Nothing to worry about, we may appear low but it’s all safe and within legal limits.

"The blended fleet gives cops on the ground assistance for all kinds of tasks they may face."