Using the two aircraft, based at RAF Odiham in Hampshire and Shoreham airport in West Sussex, is expected to save up to £8 million over five years for the forces.

Surrey and Hampshire’s police authorities approved the decision to establish a South East air support unit in June. The project has no schedule established, but the Surrey police helicopter has been operating from Hampshire since last June. The move followed a review of security after the aircraft was put out of action twice in six months when vandals struck at its previous location.

Peter Williams, chairman of Surrey Police Authority, said: “Police authorities in the South East have not shied away from getting to grips with the real financial pressures ahead of us. Not only are we making big changes and taking tough decisions locally, collaborations like this show how we are also thinking regionally to make savings and protect the frontline policing services that people want. 

“We are united in our commitment to keeping frontline policing strong through the tough times ahead and we will continue to seek out other opportunities to work together in order to do so.”

Councillor Jacqui Rayment, chair of Hampshire Police Authority, added: “Having air support available makes a big difference for the police on the ground… This kind of specialist service does not come cheap, but by working together we are able to maintain the provision of effective air support at a time of decreasing public spending.”

Dr Laurie Bush, chairman of Sussex Police Authority, explained: “After lengthy and detailed discussions between authorities and forces, we have agreed that collaborating in this way on air support represents the most sensible way to protect this important service in difficult times. 

“This kind of decision is not taken lightly and we have worked hard to make sure that the outcome is the right one for the residents of Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire.”