We're losing our "local" police air support

Police air cover over north Powys is likely to be cut after it emerged today that the National Police Air Service is to reduce the number of police air bases in the UK to just 15 - with just two in Wales.

Up until this week it had been agreed that Dyfed Powys Police would maintain its police helicopter at Pembrey in West Wales to serve rural areas of Powys, including Montgomeryshire.

But today NPAS announced it would be cutting the number of air bases to 15 and Pembrey would close next year with just air support in Cardiff and Hawarden in North Wales.

The nearest other helicopter base will be at Birmingham.

NPAS took over the responsibility of police air support from local forces rot cut costs and be more efficient.

But there are claims that areas such as rural Wales, which have cut crime as a result of the quick response from the police helicopter over the past 20 years, will lose out.

Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Commissioner, Christopher Salmon, said: "Our written agreement with NPAS included the retention of Pembrey as an operating base. The proposal from NPAS to close the Pembrey base only emerged last week.

"It is a deeply disappointing development and I will fight to ensure the best possible service for the people of Dyfed Powys."

NPAS Chief Superintendent Ian Whitehouse said: "This move will help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the service and mean that every base supports police forces 24 hours a day.

"Part of the move will also see four fixed-wing aircraft form part of the fleet."