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What is the Helicopter used for?
The NEASU aircraft operates 24/7 subject to weather and maintenance.
It provides air support to Northumbria Police and Durham Constabulary areas and departments. It also provides services to a number of agencies including:
- Fire services
- Ambulance and Paramedic services
- Coastguard
- Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
- Search and rescue teams.
The aircraft is used for a number of operational activities from assisting in apprehending offenders to transporting injured people to hospital. Typically, the helicopter assists in:
Missing Persons
The helicopter is regularly involved when there is a report of a missing person who could be vulnerable or in danger. It is able to cover a large area, assisting units on the ground. The thermal image camera is a valuable tool that can be used to locate heat sources.
Vehicle pursuits
Air support will be requested to attend if a vehicle pursuit is reported. In these situations the aircraft's observer will provide valuable information to police officers on the ground who can intercept the vehicle and bring the pursuit to a safe conclusion. The air support unit will also provide video evidence which may be used in court in the prosecution of offenders.
Tracking suspects
Whether it is searching for a robbery suspect, a burglar or a car thief, the helicopter can help find the offender and liaise with officers on the ground to pinpoint locations. This can be extremely useful in areas where there could be dense undergrowth. Often if a heat source is identified, a dog handler will take instruction from the helicopter to investigate.
Public order
Using the aircraft’s downlink instant pictures can be taken from the air at events attended by large numbers of people. The helicopter has been used at football grounds in Newcastle and Sunderland as well as other popular events including music concerts to monitor crowds and assist with public safety.
Photographic tasks
All of the aircraft’s observers can take pictures of scenes of incidents which could provide the investigation team with important evidence.
The air support unit provides images of premises or areas of terrain which can be used in court proceedings or to brief officers on the ground. It can provide images of scenes of crime, road traffic collisions or serious incidents.
Airlifting of Specialist Unit and Casualties
The aircraft is also required to provide transport to a number of types of passengers. The aircraft can often transport specialist officers such as police dog handlers to incidents or areas that maybe difficult to access on foot or by road.
Members of emergency services, such as paramedics, can also be transported to the scene of an incident to assist in treating casualties.
The term 'Casevac' is used when the helicopter is used to transfer people to hospital by air. This can be vital for casualties who need urgent medical attention.
