Post by Humberside on Aug 11, 2010 12:19:15 GMT
HUMBERSIDE Police could share helicopters with neighbouring forces to help save money.
The force's aircraft costs up to £1.5 million a year to run and is one of its most potent weapons in tackling everything from car thieves to crowd control.
At the moment, Humberside, West and South Yorkshire forces all have their own helicopters.
But by merging the teams, at least one of the aircraft would possibly be decommissioned leaving the three forces, plus North Yorkshire, sharing the costs of running only two helicopters.
Tim Hollis, Humberside Police's chief constable, said they were looking into potential savings by sharing with the neighbouring forces.
He also said a "national air support service" – where the helicopter coverage was run at a countrywide level – was also an option.
It comes as the local force considers ways of dealing with government budget cuts of up to £30 million.
Just days ago, Mr Hollis admitted police officer and staff numbers may have to be reduced if funding from the coalition Government is cut.
He also said crime may increase due a diminished police service if the cuts are as expected.
It is understood a review of the helicopter usage, known by its call sign Oscar 99, will form part of the Choices project, which is a cost-cutting programme examining every aspect of the force.
A spokeswoman for the force said: "We will be looking at a whole raft of areas in a bid to make savings and the helicopter is just one of those that we will be considering."
Sharing helicopters may be part of wider collaboration with the three other Yorkshire forces.
Already there is a regional crime unit, an asset recovery team, a roads crime team and an intelligence unit.
Only days ago Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire police authorities reached an agreement to share air support services, claiming £8 million could be saved over five years.
The Humberside aircraft has been used for many purposes, including following drivers determined to evade capture.
In February this year, Melvyn Pickering drove his black Mitsubishi four-wheel- drive at high speeds through the East Riding into Hull, before crashing into the playground of the city's Wheeler Street Primary School.
He was pursued by seven police cars, an armed response unit and the force helicopter, which captured footage of the incident.
The force's aircraft costs up to £1.5 million a year to run and is one of its most potent weapons in tackling everything from car thieves to crowd control.
At the moment, Humberside, West and South Yorkshire forces all have their own helicopters.
But by merging the teams, at least one of the aircraft would possibly be decommissioned leaving the three forces, plus North Yorkshire, sharing the costs of running only two helicopters.
Tim Hollis, Humberside Police's chief constable, said they were looking into potential savings by sharing with the neighbouring forces.
He also said a "national air support service" – where the helicopter coverage was run at a countrywide level – was also an option.
It comes as the local force considers ways of dealing with government budget cuts of up to £30 million.
Just days ago, Mr Hollis admitted police officer and staff numbers may have to be reduced if funding from the coalition Government is cut.
He also said crime may increase due a diminished police service if the cuts are as expected.
It is understood a review of the helicopter usage, known by its call sign Oscar 99, will form part of the Choices project, which is a cost-cutting programme examining every aspect of the force.
A spokeswoman for the force said: "We will be looking at a whole raft of areas in a bid to make savings and the helicopter is just one of those that we will be considering."
Sharing helicopters may be part of wider collaboration with the three other Yorkshire forces.
Already there is a regional crime unit, an asset recovery team, a roads crime team and an intelligence unit.
Only days ago Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire police authorities reached an agreement to share air support services, claiming £8 million could be saved over five years.
The Humberside aircraft has been used for many purposes, including following drivers determined to evade capture.
In February this year, Melvyn Pickering drove his black Mitsubishi four-wheel- drive at high speeds through the East Riding into Hull, before crashing into the playground of the city's Wheeler Street Primary School.
He was pursued by seven police cars, an armed response unit and the force helicopter, which captured footage of the incident.
www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/news/Police-share-eye-sky/article-2513347-detail/article.html