Carmarthen East and Dinefwr AM Rhodri Glyn Thomas has offered a cautious welcome to the announcement that the Dyfed-Powys Police helicopter is be retained in Carmarthenshire, but warned that further assurances over the long-term future of the service were required.

Mr Thomas, along with constituency colleague Jonathan Edwards MP, has repeatedly called for the police helicopter to remain in the county and both men lodged their opposition to proposals to replace the current service with a fixed-wing aircraft back in 2010 and 2011 when plans for the National Police Air Service (NPAS) were first mooted.

Following the announcement that the service was to remain at Pembrey, albeit with ownership of the helicopter handed over to the NPAS, Mr Thomas said it was vital that a long-term commitment was made to the Pembrey base.

"The announcement means that our communities will continue to be served by a helicopter - that is to be welcomed,” said Mr Thomas.

“Jonathan Edwards and I have said all along that a fixed-wing aircraft as proposed by Westminster would have been completely inappropriate for the type of terrain throughout the Dyfed-Powys force area.

“That said, I don't think the residents have the certainty they require.

"Next year the police will sell its current helicopter and enter into an agreement with the NPAS who will own the new helicopter.

“The operational decisions will no longer be undertaken by our local force and there appears to be no safeguards to prevent NPAS removing its helicopter whenever it wants in the future.

"Whilst keeping a helicopter based in Carmarthenshire is indeed welcome, I'm sure local residents will require further assurances that there is long-term commitment to this location.”