Surrey police helicopter may be scrapped

The Surrey Police helicopter has been moved to a base in Hampshire

Surrey's police helicopter could be scrapped as part of cuts aimed at putting more officers on the beat.

The force is in talks with neighbouring Sussex and Hampshire about whether it would be possible to share helicopters.

Deputy Chief Constable Craig Denholm said the Surrey helicopter cost nearly £2m a year to keep in the air.

"We are completely committed to continuing air support in Surrey," he said. "But I am not saying we will retain a single helicopter for Surrey."

The Surrey police helicopter was moved from its previous base at Fairoaks Airport, Chobham to RAF Odiham in Hampshire last June.

There are unquestionably benefits to be gained from sharing helicopters with other forces Dep Chief Con Craig Denholm

It followed a review of security after the helicopter was put out of action by vandals twice in six months.

The attacks on the aircraft were linked to two jewellery robberies in the county and in both cases, the helicopter was so badly damaged it was unable to assist at the scene.

Mr Denholm said the move to Hampshire had no bearing on discussions about the future of the helicopter, even though it now had further to fly.

"There are unquestionably benefits to be gained from sharing helicopters with other forces," he said.

"Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire - five counties - are all covered by two helicopters so our discussion with Sussex and Hampshire are nothing unusual.

'More cops'

"In this current financial climate you would expect us to be examining these things really carefully."

He said the force was reducing middle managers to get as many police officers on the frontline as possible.

"We are considering what options are available to ensure that we are making the best use of resources and putting more cops on the street in Surrey."

He said there were no firm plans as yet and no timescale for any possible sharing of helicopters.

The Surrey helicopter has been in the air nearly 550 times so far this year, with 190 flights in April alone.