MP backs fight to save helicopter

A Teesside MP has criticised plans to axe an airborne crime-fighting unit.

The North East Air Support Unit (NEASU) has helicopters at Newcastle and Durham Tees Valley airports, shared by Durham, Northumbria and Cleveland police.

But the Northumbria and Durham forces want to reduce the unit to one Tyneside-based aircraft to save money.

Redcar MP Vera Baird agreed with claims by Cleveland Police Authority that lives could be lost if the Durham Tees Valley aircraft is scrapped.

'Operational need'

Cleveland Police Authority said the aircraft had helped cut crime and was also used to ferry road accident victims to hospitals at night, when the Durham Tees Valley-based air ambulance cannot fly.

Ms Baird called for a rethink, highlighting the helicopter's use during disturbances after the recent Tyne Wear derby between Newcastle United and Sunderland.

She said: "Other police authorities in the region think we can survive with just the helicopter based in Newcastle, but the recent disturbances following a match at St James' Park show this not to be the case.

"Instead, it was necessary for both choppers to be used.

"One helicopter covering an area from Berwick to Richmond is not enough."

Last month Northumbria's chief constable Mike Craik, said: "While we will always ensure that we provide effective helicopter support to frontline policing, there is clearly no longer an operational need for two helicopters."

Durham's assistant chief constable, Michael Banks added: "We have reviewed our use of the police helicopter over recent years and the operational needs of Durham Constabulary can be met by one aircraft."