Staffordshire Police

The Air Unit (or Central Counties Air Operations Unit) provides air support to Staffordshire Police and West Mercia Constabulary.

The unit has the biggest inland operating area in the UK for a police helicopter, ranging from Buxton in the north to Ross on Wye in the south - a population of over 3.3 million. Its helicopter, Air One, can reach any part of Staffordshire and West Mercia wthin 19 minutes and can stay airborne for two and a half hours before refuelling.

Air One’s tasks include:

• searching for offenders and missing persons - any police officer can request assistance using a dedicated radio channel
• containment – the helicopter can monitor incidents until ground units arrive
• reconnaissance and surveillance – providing detailed intelligence
• pursuits  –  providing a primary pursuit response and co-ordinating ground units. A downlink facility allows police control rooms to see the aerial view
• rapid transport – such as casualty evacuation which involves the transport of critically ill people. This task is often carried out at night, as, currently, the Air Ambulance cannot land in remote areas during darkness. Specialist officers can also be moved rapidly to the scene of an incident.
• digital aerial photography – using advanced photographic, thermal imaging and video equipment
• support to other agencies – such as the Fire and Rescue Service and Customs and Excise.

Flights depend on visibility and cloud height. During the day, Air One can fly as low as 50ft from the ground in rural areas but no lower than 300ft in congested places, although most operations are carried out at much greater heights.

The helicopter, a navy blue and yellow Eurocopter 135, is flown by trained civilian pilots, carrying up to four passengers.