CARMARTHEN East and Dinefwr MP Jonathan Edwards claimed Dyfed-Powys Police had been left with a “second rate” air service as he delivered the petition calling for the safeguarding of the force helicopter to the home office today.

Last month, police and crime commissioner Christopher Salmon confirmed he had agreed a deal with the National Police Air Service (NPAS) that would see Dyfed-Powys join a centralised service, resulting in the abolition of the force’s dedicated helicopter.

As part of the agreement, the helicopter base at Pembrey would be retained for the “foreseeable future” as a forward operating base – a move which Mr Edwards said had transformed the Carmarthenshire operation into nothing more than a "glorified petrol station".

Mr Edwards and Carmarthen East and Dinefwr AM Rhodri Glyn Thomas have strongly opposed the move from the outset and launched a petition to highlight the public opposition to its loss.

Delivering his petition to the Home Office, Mr Edwards called for the Policing Minister personally to intervene, adding that the “safety and security of Dyfed-Powys residents was being compromised”.

"I genuinely believe that Dyfed-Powys will have a second rate air support service to what we have currently with our dedicated helicopter and crew at Pembrey,” said Mr Edwards.

“Indeed there are already examples of Police Commissioners in England complaining that the centralised air support is not providing the level of service agreed and being unable to respond to call-out requests.

"Additionally, it has already been confirmed that response times will increase in much of Dyfed-Powys – a reason in itself, I would suggest, to oppose the loss of our helicopter. It seems the more than 2,000 people who signed the petition would agree, and I am very grateful for their support.

"The loss of our dedicated helicopter service is a direct result of the Westminster's cuts and centralisation agenda which, as we are seeing, is having a profound effect on public services, and will see our state-of-the-art helicopter base used as a glorified petrol station in future.

"On delivering the petition, I suggested to the Policing Minister that the safety and security of Dyfed Powys residents would be unnecessarily compromised and have implored him to personally intervene in order to retain an operational helicopter based in Dyfed Powys."

Responding to Mr Edwards' comments, Dyfed-Powys Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Burton said: “All police forces in England and Wales are mandated to join NPAS.

"The new service, which starts on January 1, will provide 24-hour cover instead of the existing 12 hours, 365 days a year.

"This enhanced coverage is beneficial to communities across Dyfed-Powys.

"The Chief Constable will closely monitor the operational performance of the new service, including response times.

"I am grateful for the positive support of local politicians across the force area in securing the best possible deal for the people of Dyfed-Powys.”