13-Apr-2011 Source: Cleveland Police
‘Helicopter Watch’ will be updated daily to give details of what operations the helicopter has been involved in and whereabouts in the Force area it has been.
The new helicopter was delivered three months ago and since then has:
It is a Eurocopter EC135 P2i, which is the most advanced police helicopter in the world. It is able to operate at a higher level than the previous helicopter so it is less intrusive to the public. The improved quality of the camera combined with this means that the helicopter can gather evidence over larger areas more quickly, and make more arrests. The technology also allows digital information to be transmitted to the Control Room and also onto mobile devices and desktops in the Force.
Chief Constable of Cleveland Police Sean Price said: “We frequently get asked about what the helicopter is doing so we hope that people will find Helicopter Watch interesting and useful.â€
Chair of Cleveland Police Authority Councillor Dave McLuckie said: “I don’t have to tell the people who live in and around Teesside that we have one of Europe’s largest conglomeration of chemical works, a nuclear power station and a network of major arterial roads. Any of these could instantly become the centre of a major incident. The helicopter means we can police these, and all other suitable incidents, quickly and efficiently.
“During the debate over whether or not Cleveland Police should indeed have a helicopter, members of the public made it very clear that they thought it was a very important weapon in the fight against crime. I agreed then and I agree now.
“At the same time, they also expressed an interest in finding out more about how and when the helicopter is used, this new service being launched today goes a long way towards enabling us to meet that public interest.”
Helicopter Watch can be found at http://www.cleveland.police.uk/news/helicopter-watch.aspx and on the Cleveland Police Authority website http://www.clevelandpa.org.uk/helicopter
