Second force helicopter sought

The police air support service in the north-east of England is set to be upgraded.

Cleveland Police Authority has backed plans to buy a second helicopter to cover the North East.

Currently the service provides vital surveillance, and other support, to the region's police force - Northumbria, Durham, and Cleveland.

The North East Air Support Unit operates with one helicopter and a fixed wing aeroplane.

Now a bid has gone to the Home Office to replace the plane with a second helicopter.

The total cost of the plan will be £3.8m, of which the three forces will have to pay £2m.