Police helicopter a vital resource for Hertfordshire

Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire David Lloyd saw the benefits of having a police helicopter during a recent visit to their base.

Mr Lloyd was invited to the National Air Police Service hanger at North Weald airfield, Essex, to meet officers and pilots of the aircraft.

The helicopter covers Hertfordshire and another five counties with Essex, Bedfordshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, which all share the cost.

It is used for a variety of operations but is mainly reserved for where there is a threat to lift or risk of serious harm. Emergencies it is called to include those involving firearms, high risk missing people, serious crimes and vehicle pursuits. But it is also used for tracking burglary suspects, hare coursers and public order events.

Mr Lloyd: ““The helicopter is really useful as a policing tool for officers to use for the benefit of the people of Hertfordshire. I have learned how this can be used to keep you safe, and I have been out in it today searching for missing people and looking for those involved in crime.

“In Hertfordshire there has also been investment in drone technology, and they are used where appropriate. But there are certain jobs where only the helicopter is appropriate, it can go faster for longer for incidents such as vehicles failing to stop and it can go up in almost all weathers.

The police helicopter can fly at speeds of 130mph and stay airborne for two hours. It has a crew of three; a pilot and two officers who help navigate, communicate with officers on the ground, operate video camera and high-power searchlight. On some occasions it lands at the scene for them to arrest suspects or administer first aid.

“Drones are useful and they are used as well in Hertfordshire, but what the helicopter does is give a far wider range of view. Also the drone has to stay in sight of the operator so the helicopter gives a more options.” 

During the visit Mr Lloyd joined the crew of three, a pilot and two officers, when then helicopter was deployed to a violent incident near a school in Wormley, Herts, a three minute flight time away.