Today I attended the launch of Cleveland Police’s own Air Operations Unit. Thanks to the financial support of Cleveland Police Authority, and the Home Office, the Force now has one helicopter covering solely the Cleveland area. The new helicopter service, which is now detached from the Durham and Northumbria forces, was launched at Cleveland Police's headquarters in Middleborough.
I arrived at Cleveland Police Headquarters at around 9am. When I arrived there was already a group of journalist, news reporters, cameramen and photographers waiting in the reception area. The press had been invited to the event, by Cleveland Police Press Office so that the force could get coverage on its newest innovation. At around half past nine, I along with Jen the Assistant Press Officer lead the press out and around the back of the building to the large car park where the helicopter was waiting. The Eurocopter EC135 helicopter will in fact be based at Durham Tees Valley airport, and support numerous areas of operational policing.
When everyone had gathered around a formal speech was given by the Authority chairman Councilor David McLuckie, Hartlepool Councilor Victor Tumilty and The Deputy Chief Constable of Cleveland Police, Derek Bonnard, who said; "Having one helicopter solely covering the Cleveland area means we can further improve our effectiveness in responding to incidents, locating people and gathering evidence at scenes."
Hartlepool councilor Victor Tumilty added: "Hartlepool has made full use of this service in the past and we definitely get our fair share from the helicopter. It is here because it is needed and necessary, and will help keep the town safe in the future."
The aircraft is equipped with thermal imaging cameras for locating criminals and missing people. The helicopter is also able to provide crucial video footage as well, which is vital in directing officers and other emergency services during major incidents. This technology also enables the police to capture evidence effectively and safely, in particular around vehicle pursuits, which means potentially dangerous pursuits can be reduced and evidence obtained that convicts offenders.
Derek Bonnard said, “I am absolutely delighted that Cleveland now has its own Air Operations Unit. The fact that we have one helicopter solely covering the Cleveland area means that we can further improve our effectiveness in responding to incidents, locating people and gathering evidence at scenes. It is a key operational tool of modern policing that has helped us reduce crime by 17% so far this year. It is a known fact that it takes the equivalent of 454 officer hours to search an area that a helicopter can do in 12 minutes.”
The work Cleveland Police will now able to do in the community will demonstrate to people the benefits the air support service provides and helping to get across key safety and crime-fighting messages. Cleveland Police Authority Chair, Councillor Dave McLuckie said “When the Durham and Northumbria forces decided to end the regional air support consortium we recognised that the only way forward was to establish our own unit because of the importance of air support to modern-day policing, especially in an area such as Cleveland with both tightly-knit urban areas and major industrial sites. We’re grateful for the support we have received from both the Government and local MPs, including Stockton North MP Frank Cook, who initiated a Parliamentary debate on the issue and will be with us for the launch of the new service.”
The Deputy Chief Constable of Cleveland Police then introduced the press to two schoolboys, who were airlifted to hospital after a horrific school bus smash. The two boys were invited along to the event to welcome the launch of a new police air support unit.
Michael and Ben were severely injured when the 33-seater Mercedes bus carrying 26 pupils left the road and ploughed into a group of children as they made their way home from school. They spent several weeks in hospital after suffering serious injuries in the Catcote Road crash on July 11, 2007. Doctors had to put pins in one of Ben's legs. Both legs were broken and needed substantial skin grafts. Michael suffered head and facial injuries that have left him with a metal plate in his skull. The pair, who returned to school 10 weeks after the crash have made good recoveries. Ben's dad, Paul, 44, said: "If this service wasn't here the boys would not be here.”
The English Martyrs pupils, Michael Harrison and Ben Conroy, both 13, went back up in the police chopper that flew Michael to hospital. Best friend Ben joined Michael on the fun flight yesterday, who was also flown to hospital by the Great North Air Ambulance after the smash outside their school in Catcote Road, Hartlepool.
After the helicopter had returned with the two boys, four members of the press were then taken up in the helicopter where they could record footage and take photographs of what could be seen.
The previous shared helicopter (shared between Cleveland, Durham and Northumbria forces.) The helicopter managed to find a 91 year old lady who had gone off the road on Kildale Moor and she had been stuck in her car all night in November 2008. The helicopter crew landed and assisted the lady until the paramedics arrived. In August 2008, a child was driving a stolen car on the A19. The police cars were directed to pull off, as it was a very unsafe situation. Using information supplied from the helicopter, other officers were able to deploy the stinger device, which enabled the child and stolen vehicle to be recovered without any injuries.
Between April 2008 and January 2009 the previous shared helicopter Dealt with 1179 incidents, of those 700 were crime incidents and 200 were vulnerable missing people. The helicopter also dealt with 55 vehicle pursuits, 15 casualties who were evacuated and helped assist 219 arrests.
Could Cleveland Police's newest member bring these numbers up even further? Cleveland Police clearly has high hopes for there latest little splash out!
Watch my video upload of the launch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJJ1_7oiH54
