CARMARTHEN East and Dinefwr MP Jonathan Edwards has aimed a sweeping broadside at Dyfed-Powys police commissioner following the termination of the force helicopter service saying that those responsible for its loss should “hang their heads in shame”.

The crew – known as X99 – ceased operations on New Year’s Eve as Dyfed-Powys Police officially became part of the UK-wide National Police Air Service (NPAS).

The NPAS agreement sees forces across the UK give up their dedicated helicopters with air support instead provided by a centralised service.

The deal means there will be no air support service based in west Wales despite the Dyfed-Powys force covering the largest geographical area of any force in the UK – and facing some of the most challenging terrain.

Taking to social media on New Year's Eve, the official Twitter account of helicopter unit bade its farewell with the words: "After 20+ illustrious years it is now time for X99 to bow out, can we thank everyone for their support and we wish you all a Happy New Year."

In November, commissioner Christopher Salmon confirmed he had signed Dyfed-Powys into the NPAS agreement, leading to increased response times for the majority of Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion.

The unit’s Pembrey base is to remain open “for the foreseeable future” as a refuelling site, but the force helicopter is to be “sold off”.

Mr Edwards warned Mr Salmon he would suffer “the profound anger” of Dyfed-Powys should the new service – which will see helicopters stationed in England attended incidents in West Wales – prove incapable of providing the cover required.

"The last thing I want is for this to become a 'lessons will be learnt' or an 'I told you so' situation. I sincerely hope the new service will deliver the same level of support and operation we've experienced over the last 20 years,” said Mr Edwards.

"If it doesn't, if there is a single problem, if just one request for helicopter cover is refused as has already been experienced in England, then the police commissioner will undoubtedly feel the profound anger of Dyfed Powys residents."

He said the loss of the service was symptomatic of a government intent of the centralisation of public services – but aimed his anger squarely at Mr Salmon’s apparent failure to fight to retain the helicopter.

"The previous UK Conservative and Lib Dem coalition government brought in the legislation that instructed police forces to share air support operations,” said Mr Edwards. “It's hardly surprising that Westminster's dead hand of centralisation ignited the process by which our helicopter was lost.

"But the final nail in the coffin, as we all now know, was that the local police commissioner did not oppose the loss of our dedicated service. For the helicopter to have any chance of continuing it needed a commissioner that was prepared to stand up to his own party colleagues and fight for it.

"All of those responsible for the helicopter hanger closing its doors for the last time should hang their heads in shame.

"On behalf of those who have opposed the helicopter loss I wish to state my heartfelt thanks to the crew and former crews for their sterling work in our skies.”

Mr Salmon said: “Dyfed-Powys, like all forces, had to join NPAS.  I was determined to secure the best possible deal, and fought hard to do that.

“We now have access to a helicopter 24 hours a day – up from 12 hours – and it’s costing us less.  That means we can spend more on local police officers.

“When Dyfed-Powys Police need air cover it will be available.  The Chief Constable and I will carefully monitor the new arrangements over the coming months.”