Police helicopter (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Police helicopter

11:15am Friday 13th June 2008 in Letters

Sir, - The ongoing debate about the future of the Cleveland police helicopter is a matter of real concern to anyone who understands the effectiveness of this vital tool.

I visited the unit to see for myself the work it does, and was extremely impressed by its versatility and the professionalism of the officers and pilot who were on duty that night.

It is a real shame Northumbria and Durham Constabularies have decided to pull out of the consortium that currently provides air support for the whole region, leaving Cleveland Police Authority to go it alone.

I have little doubt that Durham will come to regret their decision, as a Newcastle based helicopter is left to service an area from Darlington to Northumberland.

The Cleveland helicopter, based at Durham Tees Valley Airport, will cover the Tees Valley but not Darlington, other than when called in an emergency and with an additional bill then being submitted to the Durham force for its time.

Cleveland Police Authority members are right in their commitment to retain air cover for this area and I would urge Durham to think again about the false economy of withdrawing from the present arrangement.

The people of County Durham may well have to suffer the consequences.

JAMES WHARTON Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Stockton South