Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys
Helicopter in Action
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Helicopter Unit

Helicopter Unit in Action

The eye in the sky

Dyfed Powys Police have a 4th generation Augusta 109e Power helicopter. The force has had a helicopter since 1991.

To search one square mile of land can take 12 police officers 454 hours and cost over £4500. A helicopter takes 12 minutes to search the same area and costs just £160.

What they do

The team is the eye in the sky for the force. They help with:

  • Searches for missing people, suspects and vehicles
  • Casualty evacuation
  • Transporting specialist teams around the Force area
  • Gathering intelligence including using ANPR and video.

The team

The helicopter team is made up of:

  • One Inspector 
  • One Sergeant
  • 2 full time pilots 
  • 2 relief pilots 
  • 5 Police constables / observers

The helicopter can be airborne within 50 seconds when responding to an emergency call.

In a six month period from July 2008 until January 2009 they have helped to recover £2,225,000 of drugs and equipment and property with a value of £97,500.