attractive options - Police Aviation News

Police Aviation News May 2011 7
October’s announcement Merseyside and Lancashire were talking to each other about
‘cooperation’ – that could easily have included reliance on one aircraft and that would have
been the Lancashire machine. Lots of ‘smoke and mirrors’ going on in NPAS land.
SOUTH EAST: A collaboration to share air support across the counties of Sussex, Surrey
and Hampshire was officially launched at Shoreham Airport on April 1.
Although the South East Air Support Unit (SEASU) has been operational since October, the
day marked the start of operations under a single Police Air Operator's Certificate issued by
the Civil Aviation Authority.
Under the agreement there are two helicopters covering the three force areas. This will ensure
that Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire are all able to have access to this highly value resource,
but at a saving of around £8M for the three authorities over the next five years.
Regional Inspector for SEASU Steve Cheeseman, Surrey Police, said: "The launch of the
regional air support unit has been seven years in the making and we have come up with a
model which we believe will effectively serve Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire.
"The use of helicopters gives police a real advantage over criminals on the ground and also
allows us to effectively assist in searching for vulnerable missing people. They are an invaluable
resource which through this collaboration we hope to continue for many years to
come."
Alan Price, Sussex Police Authority's lead member for air support, said: "Collaboration in
which 'everybody has won and all must have prizes' is always difficult to achieve. There
must inevitably be compromises.
"The fact that all three Forces and authorities have been able to reach agreement on an effective
and efficient collaboration with both capital and revenue implications which meets
the requirements of all in the important area of air support is a tribute to all those involved
in the discussions and negotiations that have lead up to this day.
"I offer my congratulations to all those who have worked hard to make this historic launch of
SEASU happen today. I am sure SEASU will continue to develop to meet the changing demands
on its service."
Crew photo: (left to right) PC Mark Jay, PC Geoff Craggs, Chief Pilot Ian
Brown, Senior Pilot Mark Hostler, Pilot Jonathan Jeffes, Critical Care
Paramedic Mark Lilley, PC Amy Wright. [Sussex Police]