Police to get six new helicopters

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Six new helicopters are to fight crime in nine police forces in England and Wales, the Home Office has announced.

Forces in Cheshire, Cleveland, North Wales, Suffolk, Thames Valley and West Mercia will operate the £5m aircrafts.

West Mercia, Thames Valley and Suffolk are working in consortia with neighbouring police.

They are trialling a system that allows the nearest helicopter to attend an incident, even if it means crossing police-force borders.

'Crucial role'

Police Minister Vernon Coaker said: "Air-support units play a crucial role in helping police protect communities against crime.

"They help officers with a wide range of operations, from searching for offenders or missing people, to assisting other emergency services with transporting injured people."

People may talk about the cost, but what value do you place on saving one life? Ch Supt Nigel Hughes Leicestershire Police Ch Supt Nigel Hughes, head of operations for Leicestershire Police, said a helicopter was a valuable asset for any force.

He said: "It certainly has an impact, it's very visible when it needs to be... It shows people on the ground that police are present and it has a very good deterrent effect.

"People may talk about the cost, but what value do you place on saving one life? And it has proved to be a lifesaver."

The police aircraft fleet includes 29 light and medium twin-engined helicopters and three fixed-wing aircraft.

The fleet uses daylight and thermal imaging cameras to search for offenders on the run from crime scenes, to help police cars and look for missing people.

The helicopters are also fitted with a searchlight to help find offenders in the dark and floodlight accident scenes.

They can also carry critically injured people to hospital at night, which air ambulances are not equipped to do.