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Surrey Police's Air Operations Unit is equipped with an EC135 Advanced Police
Helicopter. This type and model is generally recognised as the most suitable
aircraft for use by the police, and is currently in service with 15 forces
throughout the UK. It is crewed by officers from Surrey, and flown by pilots
with extensive military and civil aviation experience.
Using the unique capabilities of a helicopter,
and the state of the art equipment carried on board, our role is to provide the
staff of Surrey Police with a high-quality and effective tool, that will assist
them in the day to day policing of Surrey.
Above all, to the public and police
officers of Surrey, we provide safety.
We offer a wide range of services, which are
mostly, but not exclusively, crime related, and include:
- Searching for missing people,
suspects, vehicles or property. We are able to search large areas quickly
and accurately thus saving valuable time and resources. We can also search
'dangerous' locations, such as railways rooftops and rivers, safely.
- Containment of an area allowing
officers on the ground to consider their options, and to conduct an
effective search.
- Vehicle Pursuits With increasing
public concern over the safety of vehicle pursuits, the aircraft can follow
a vehicle without the need for other police units to be in close contact.
This reduces the risk of vehicle collisions and improves safety for everyone
on the ground. With an excellent view ahead, the crew can advise ground
units of hazards, likely routes and tactical options for bringing the
pursuit to a safe conclusion.
- 'Downlinking' video footage to
control centres and units at the scene of an incident. This allows
commanders to obtain an overall view of an incident, whether it be for
planning at events such as the Derby, or the scene of a major incident, a
large fire or a rave.
It is important to remember that we are not a
patrol unit, and it is not our job to catch speeding motorists or report on
traffic queues. We are here to provide an important police service towards the
goal of making Surrey safer, and when we are flying it is always on an important
task. Our aircraft is significantly quieter than other helicopters, due to the
unique design of its tail rotor, but should you hear us overhead we would ask
that you be reassured rather than annoyed. To find out more about why the helicopter may be overhead please read the following section on Helicopter over my house The next time you hear us, it could
be that we're there to help.
In a single year the Air Operations Unit helps
solve roughly 600 crimes, and assists greatly in finding lost or missing
persons, but the value of the unit is not calculated solely by numbers. The
aircraft is a vital tool in saving money and increasing safety for the police
officers and the public of Surrey.
Helicopter over my house
Was that the police helicopter?
The Force helicopter is always deployed for a very good reason, even when it's flying over your house in the early hours of the morning.
The helicopter and its crew respond to a variety of tasks that include assisting officers on the ground with searching for suspects and vulnerable missing persons. The aircraft is also used for other tasks including intelligence - led high visibility patrolling to prevent and detect crime and disorder, providing essential support to officers down on the ground.
Yes, but what's it doing over MY house?
It is fully understood that sometimes having the police helicopter hovering near to or over your house may cause you some concern but please be reassured that the aircraft will always be there for a good reason.
Often enquiries are received regarding what the aircraft was dealing with and these pages will provide an insight into its work as well as showing how it helps in keeping you and your community safe.
Inspector Steve Cheeseman from the Air Operations Unit said, "Please be reassured if you see or hear the police helicopter. It is very effective and plays an important role in helping to make Surrey safer”.
This page will be regularly updated with details about main deployments, so that if you are disturbed at one o'clock in the morning a visit here will help you understand why.
Hopefully this information will help provide an overview of the vital service the police helicopter performs.
Monthly updates
Please note: This site is intended to provide basic information to the general public regarding the work of the police helicopter. Any incidents that are particularly newsworthy will be released by Surrey Police in the usual manner through agreed channels. Queries that arise from anyone who wishes to know further details about specific incidents for further dissemination will not be responded to.
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