Police chopper plea (From South Wales Guardian)

Police chopper plea

5:00pm Thursday 2nd August 2012 in News

Authority is lobbying MPs to keep the Dyfed Powys Police helicopter instead of replacing it with a fixed-wing aircraft, under the UK Government’s proposals for a National Police Air Service.

Under the proposals 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 whereby air support would be provided from fewer bases.

While, the Police Authority acknowledges there are efficiency and operational benefits of a NPAS, it is opposed to the force helicopter being replaced by a fixed-wing aircraft under the plans.

A spokesman said the authority considered a helicopter 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.