Milford Haven News
Haverfordwest airport could house new Dyfed-Powys Police plane
12:10pm Saturday 4th February 2012
Haverfordwest airport is the front runner to be home to a new Dyfed- Powys Police plane as part of controversial moves that could see the current force helicopter phased out.
Outlining plans for the National Police Air Service (NPAS) last week, Policing Minister Nick Herbert announced the reduction in police aircraft across the UK from 32 to 22 and the number of bases from 30 to 24, saving some £15million.
The Dyfed-Powys helicopter will continue to operate for two years from Pembrey, while a fixed wing aircraft pilot is carried out.
Haverfordwest is earmarked as a possible home for the new aircraft if the pilot is successful.
A briefing document says Pembrey is not suitable for a fixed wing aircraft therefore another base will have to be found for the trial and, potentially, the long term.
It adds: “Haverfordwest appears to the NPAS team to be the most suitable location for such a base from which to give 24-hour coverage for Dyfed-Powys, including Pembrokeshire.”
The document outlines the advantages of a fixed wing aircraft including longer range and flying hours, but notes the limitations of being less flexible in terms of landing.
Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Stephen Crabb said he was delighted Haverfordwest had been highlighted but said there was a lot of detail for Dyfed- Powys Police to work out.
“The airport in Haverfordwest is currently under utilised and it is well suited as a base for this type of service.
“Keeping police officers on the beat in our communities is the priority and I welcome any savings that can make this happen.”
But a Dyfed-Powys Police spokesman said the announcement raised concerns regarding the amount of coverage provided and highlighted that £1.52million had recently been spent on the base at Pembrey.