Joint agreement to benefit neighbouring forces
Tuesday, 29 April, 2008
Essex and Kent Police have agreed to share air support under new ground-breaking collaboration arrangements.
The partnership, which went live last month, means the helicopter will be available to both Essex and Kent forces for 20 hours a day, seven days a week, a significant increase to the current service in Essex and a new service for Kent. This means increased resources for both forces, improving the service to both communities.
Many of the operational aspects of using the helicopter across both forces have been 'air-tested' since October 2007, and the helicopter has been deployed on a mutual aid basis to Kent for the last year.
The helicopter will still be based in Chelmsford, Essex but will use Rochester airport as a base for refuelling when in Kent.
Essex Chief Constable Roger Baker said, "Air Support is a primary crime fighting tool and we are delighted to be able to work with Kent on this collaboration project. The additional funding allows Essex Police to significantly increase the air support service for our community whilst creating a new service for Kent."
