Dyfed-Powys lobbies MPs to keep its police helicopter

Dyfed-Powys Police Authority is lobbying to keep its helicopter and prevent it being replaced by a fixed-wing aircraft.

The authority told MPs that the size and rural nature of its force area makes a helicopter the best option. The force faces losing its own helicopter in 2014 under proposals for a National Police Air Service (NPAS).

Under the plans, the current structure where police forces operate their own helicopters would be replaced by national air support for the 43 police forces in England and Wales provided from fewer bases.

However, the authority, although acknowledging that there are efficiency and operational benefits of a NPAS for police forces, said that to keep its own helicopter is more appropriate than a fixed-wing aircraft because Dyfed-Powys covers half the area of Wales and represents the largest police force area in England and Wales, including more than 350 miles of coastline, substantial mountainous terrain and many remote and rural communities.

It also acknowledged that a fixed-wing aircraft would be cheaper to operate than a helicopter and would give greater flight time with the capability to carry out thermal imaging, video cameras and to downlink.

However, it would have a number of weaknesses, including:

•The inability to land at a scene to arrest a person, locate a missing person or deal with a casualty;

•The inability to hover when giving top cover or support to an operation on the ground; and

•The inability to transport specialist officers such as firearms, dogs and negotiators.

Gwyn Hopkins, chair of Dyfed-Powys Police Authority, said: “The authority supports the concept of a NPAS provided that the level of appropriate air cover is maintained. However, we have serious concerns that the NPAS as currently proposed will have a detrimental impact upon the air support service that is currently provided and needed by the residents of Dyfed-Powys.

“The authority considers that insufficient consideration has been given to the particular requirements for a helicopter in Dyfed-Powys and we are urging the Government that the current proposals be reviewed as a matter or urgency.

“Dyfed-Powys has substantial expanses of coastline and mountains where the availability of a helicopter to hover and land is crucial. The fixed-wing cannot do this. The authority is doing what it can but the public may wish to direct any concerns they have on this issue to their MPs.”

The authority is also concerned that, following the recent investment of £1.5 million in a new air support base at Pembrey, it will be “extremely difficult” to use this base for anything other than a helicopter. It says to create access to the airport runway would require significant additional funding which, in the current economic climate, is not viable.

Following last week’s meeting, a number of MPs agreed to write to the Minister for Policing, Nick Herbert, supporting the authority’s position.