Helicopter row raised in Commons

A campaign to stop one of two crime-fighting helicopters in the north east of England from being axed is to be raised in Parliament.

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

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

Stockton North MP Frank Cook has tabled a motion criticising the plans.

Accident victims

Mr Cook, speaking before the House of Commons debate on Tuesday, said he hoped the government would intervene to save a vital service which can "make the difference between life and death."

The Labour MP said: "I have seen no evidence whatever to justify the proposal to reduce the unit to a single helicopter.

"It is nonsensical that a joint unit which has clearly proved its worth should be at risk."

Cleveland Police Authority has said the aircraft 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.

However, the Northumbria and Durham forces believe the shared use of one helicopter can meet policing demands without any significant detrimental impact.