THE threat surrounding a vital crime-fighting helicopter has been lifted after the Government agreed to delay new safety rules.
In a Commons debate, Home Office minister Meg Hillier announced that a 2010 deadline requiring two pilots would be relaxed to give North-East police forces more time to buy a £3.6m aircraft.
The three regional police authorities – Cleveland, Dur
ham and Northumbria – have been involved in a bitter row over the future of the £700,000 air support unit, after Northumbria and Durham announced that they were pulling out. They suggested that one helicopter be based at Newcastle Airport, with the aircraft currently stationed at Durham Tees Valley Airport axed.
Frank Cook, the Stockton North MP who staged the debate, said: "What the minister said is very promising.
"There is no doubt that we need to pursue this money that is now available to us. I know that the Cleveland authority and force will respond positively, and I earnestly hope that there will be a similar response in Durham and Northumbria."
he Civil Aviation Authority deadline for all helicopters to have two pilots for night flying was April 2010, but could be stretched to April 2011, as it could take two years to procure a helicopter, even if the go-ahead was given next April.
Mr Cook hinted the Cleveland authority could put in a joint bid with North Yorkshire, if it was unable to come to any agreement with Durham and Northumbria.
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