The new Cleveland Police Air Support Unit got off to a flying start in its first month of operation, according to figures released today.
In April the unit undertook 227 tasks and assisted in 25 arrests and the recovery of £11,500 of assets, as well as taking part in vital search and rescue operations.
Cleveland Police Authority decided to go ahead and set up its own air support unit after Northumbria and Durham decided to withdraw from the previous regional service and Authority Chair, Councillor Dave McLuckie, said that already it was proving its worth.
He explained "Using the standard formula for assessing the benefits of air search compared to officers on the ground, the figures show that in just one month the unit saved over 50,000 hours of officer time but perhaps more important there have already been occasions when it has dealt with literally life and death situations.
"When we were faced with the ending of the regional air support consortium -- a decision we did not want but resulted from the decisions of others -- we were convinced that we could not lose such a vital tool in modern policing, especially for an area such as ours, with major industrial sites, tightly-knit urban communities and coast and country areas.
"I'm delighted that the service has got off to such a good start. At present we are using one of the helicopters inherited from the former regional service, but in two years time, thanks to £2million support from the Home Office, we will be acquiring a new aircraft equipped with even more sophisticated technology."
Assistant Chief Constable Dave Pickard added "The figures demonstrate just how key the Force Helicopter is as an operational asset to prevent and detect crime.
"I am pleased that Cleveland now has its own Air Operations Unit, which means it can operate more effectively as it is covering a smaller geographical area, and also spend more time proactively engaging with the community.
"We are grateful to both the Authority and members of the public for the support they have shown us and this really is a shining example of how Cleveland is Putting People First - delivering a policing service that the public can be proud of."
Examples of the tasks undertaken by the new unit in its first month include:
April 5th, Guisborough: - Assist ambulance service at Guisborough Woods with a female casualty who had fallen from her horse and suffered a badly broken jaw and head injuries. Land on scene and liaise with ambulance and mountain rescue personnel who had brought the casualty down from the woods. Casualty flown to James Cook Hospital.
April 9th, Hartlepool: - Search beach and marina area of Hartlepool for vulnerable, woman. Located her on thermal camera at end of Middleton Jetty in company with her dog. Ground officers directed to woman whom initially threatened to jump, but was eventually talked back from edge. The aircraft was used to illuminate jetty area.
April 9th, Thornaby: - A prolific offender wanted for numerous burglaries and breach of bail had previously evaded arrest attempts was seen making off out of rear of premises. The aircraft covered front and rear of the premises. and directed ground officers to successful arrest.
April 11th, Skinningrove: - A man used a kitchen knife to injure himself before making threats to kill himself and threatening officers and then making off towards the beach. Extensive search of the beach and cliff area carried out, resulting in the man being found heading into the sea. The man was removed from the water to safety.
April 12th, Hartlepool: - Aircraft attended Throston Grange area after reports of someone heard shouting for help. Male located in a beck to the North of Dunlin Road, Crew land at scene and give first aid and assist the units at the scene with medical equipment until arrival of ambulance.
April 13th, Hartlepool: - Attend and search rear gardens around Bodmin Grove after youths disturbed attempting to steal a motor cycle. On arrival of the aircraft the youth broke cover in rear gardens nearby and was apprehended by dog unit.
April 18th Middlesbrough: - Attended the Premier Road area of Pallister Park to assist with search for a motorcycle being ridden at speed. Motorcycle located by crew and followed using the thermal image camera. The rider eventually crashed negotiating a left hand bend. The rider was detained and enquiries revealed that the motorcycle was stolen.
April 19th, Brotton: - Requested to assist in search for missing person from the Brotton area. Coordinate search with Coast Guard and local units and extensive search carried out, resulting in a body being located at the base of the cliffs south of Saltburn. The aircraft transported Coast Guard rescue personnel to recover the body.
April 22nd, Middlesbrough: - Search of Albert Park for a male wanted for an offence of assault. Heat sourcing equipment was used to locate him in the park hiding under trees and units were directed to the scene.