Our Helicopter

The helicopter flying over Derbyshire

The North Midlands Helicopter Support Unit is based at Derbyshire Constabulary headquarters in Ripley.

The helicopter is jointly owned by Derbyshire Constabulary and Nottinghamshire Police. It carries out vital work, helping officers on the ground to search for suspects, locate missing people and track stolen vehicles.

We want you to know what we are doing when the helicopter is deployed in Derbyshire and how we are helping to keep you and the community safe.

North Midlands Helicopter Support Unit Daily Task Sheet

These logs show you examples of what the helicopter has been involved in during the last few weeks.

Week commencing 06/05/2013
Date Area Summary Remarks
11/05/2013 Derby Suspect Search Search for burglars who had been disturbed.
11/05/2013 Grindleford Suspect Search Checked garage and surrounding area for suspect involved in fuel theft.
11/05/2013 Derby Suspect Search Carried out a search for male who had stolen items from a petrol station.
10/05/2013 South Normanton Suspect Search Search in gardens after report of an intruder being disturbed.
10/05/2013 Belper Other Fire and explosions reported at a disused factory. Incident management provided.
09/05/2013 Breadsall Village Suspect Search Search of path for offenders who had recently caused damage.
09/05/2013 Derby Incident Planning Search of an industrial estate following a report of cable drums being stolen.
08/05/2013 Derby Pursuit Vehicle failed to stop for officers. Helicopter assisted in the search when the driver ran off.
08/05/2013 Tapton Incident Investigation Search of woodland following concern for a casualty who couldn't be found.
08/05/2013 South Normanton Missing Person Search Search of gardens for a patient who had gone missing from his accomodation.
08/05/2013 Ridgeway Other Hot spot patrol for an area subject to crime.
06/05/2013 Trent Lock Search for vehicle Search of the river/canal for a boat.
 
Week commencing 29/04/2013
Date Area Summary Remarks
05/05/2013 Somercotes Incident investigation Support ground based officers with an incident thought to involve a firearm.
05/05/2013 Littleover Suspect search Search for a suspect wanted for various offences.
05/05/2013 Buxton Incident investigation Monitor young people in a dangerous area of disused industrial land.
05/05/2013 Flagg Incident investigation Monitor and collect evidence of people endangering aircraft with a laser device.
04/05/2013 Bolsover Casualty evacuation Transport injured motorist to hospital after his vehicle left the road.
04/05/2013 Alfreton Missing person search Search for person missing from home.
04/05/2013 Willington Suspect search Search for a suspect wanted for various offences.
04/05/2013 Willington Suspect search Search for a suspect wanted for various offences.
03/05/2013 Chesterfield Suspect search Search for suspects who made off onto a railway line.
03/05/2013 Ripley Suspect search Search for suspects involved in a house burglary.
03/05/2013 Chesterfield Suspect search Search for a suspect wanted for various offences.
02/05/2013 Long Eaton Suspect search Search for suspects from a robbery offence.
02/05/2013 Langley Mill Suspect search Search for children believed to be playing on the railway line.
02/05/2013 Doe Lea Search for vehicle Search for a vehicle, occupants believed to have access to firearms.
29/04/2013 Swadlincote Suspect search Search for two males wanted in connection with an assault.


Week commencing 22/04/2013
Date Area Summary Remarks
28/04/2013 Barlborough Search for vehicle Search the M1 for a vehicle wanted in connection to a serious offence
28/04/2013 Peartree Suspect search Search for a man who had broken into a car and in gardens St Chad's Road
28/04/2013 Alvaston Suspect search Search for a man with a machete in gardens off Baker Street
27/04/2013 Poolsbrook Missing person search Search of Poolsbrook and Duckmanton area for a missing woman
27/04/2013 Birch Vale Suspect search Assist in a search for a wanted man
25/04/2013 Swadincote Missing person search Assist ground officers in a search for a missing person
24/04/2013 Chaddesden Suspect search Assist ground officers to locate and arrest a wanted person
23/04/2013 Swadlincote Incident investigation Photographic evidence taken for CID
22/04/2013 Great Cubley Incident investigation Search and photograph the scene of a serious road traffic incident


Week commencing 15/04/2013
Date Area Summary Remarks
21/04/2013 Alvaston Missing Person Search Search for a vulnerable missing person.
21/04/2013 Langley Mill Missing Person Search Search for a vulnerable missing person.
20/04/2013 Allestree Missing Person Search Search for a vulnerable missing person.
20/04/2013 Brimington Missing Person Search Search for a vulnerable missing person.
20/04/2013 Holymoorside Search for vehicle Search for a stolen vehicle.
20/04/2013 Long Eaton Suspect Search Search for a wanted man.
19/04/2013 Darley Dale Suspect Search Search for two men wanted for theft of a motor vehicle.
18/04/2013 Ilkeston Suspect Search Search for a man wanted for assault.
18/04/2013 Sandicacre Missing Person Search Search for a vulnerable missing person.
18/04/2013 Derby Suspect Search Search for a man disturbed in the garden of a house.
17/04/2013 Hadfield Suspect Search Search for two men who made off from the scene of a burglary.
16/04/2013 Alfreton Suspect Search Search for a person who was in breach of bail conditions and making off over fields.
16/04/2013 Chinley Suspect Search Search for suspects who made off from a stolen car.
16/04/2013 Ilkeston Incident Investigation Assistance with a police operation. 
15/04/2013 Old Whittington Suspect Search Search for three men trespassing with a suspected firearm. Crew landed and detained three suspects. 
15/04/2013 Hilton Suspect Search Search for a vehicle and occupants involved in fuel thefts.


Week commencing 11/04/2013
Date Area Summary Remarks
14/04/2013 Alfreton Incident Investigation Search for a woman after concern was raised for her wellbeing.
14/04/2013 Codnor Suspect Search Search for a burglar disturbed by occupants.
14/04/2013 Long Eaton Missing Person Search Report of female on the train lines, assisted with the search.
14/04/2013 Calver Suspect Search Intruder disturbed, search carried out to assist local officers.
14/04/2013 Oakerthorpe Suspect Search Check of a compound after intruders were reported tampering with machinery.
13/04/2013 Derby Search for vehicle Search for stolen motorbike seen by officers.
11/04/2013 Heanor Suspect Search Commercial burglary, asked to check roof for possible offenders on scene.


Week commencing 01/04/2013
Date Area Summary Remarks
07/04/2013 Matlock Missing Person Search Search area for person possibly in distress and threatening self harm
07/04/2013 Cromford Incident Investigation Video the scene of a road collision
07/04/2013 Birch Vale Suspect Search Search for suspects believed to be breaking into a premises
05/04/2013 Wingerworth Missing Person Search Report of person in difficulty in a pond, search carried out of the area
04/04/2013 Ambaston Suspect Search Search for burglary suspect
04/04/2013 Spondon Search for vehicle Search area for vehicle being used by travelling criminal 
04/04/2013 Corbriggs Suspect Search Search area for possible intruders on industrial site
04/04/2013 Newhaven Pursuit Assist officers involved with a vehicle failing to stop
03/04/2013 Derby Suspect Search Search for burglary suspects 
03/04/2013 Somercotes Suspect Search Search for two people allegedly on railway lines in possession of a firearm
03/04/2013 Somercotes Missing Person Search Search for a man after concerns he may have come to harm
01/04/2013 Somercotes Suspect Search Search for burglary suspects 
01/04/2013 Danesmoor Missing Person Search Search for a man that had been reported missing from home


Week commencing 25/03/2013
Date Area Summary Remarks
31/03/2013 Littleover Suspect search Two persons made off from police into gardens off Oaklands Drive
31/03/2013 Kirk Hallam Pursuit Followed a stolen vehicle around Kirk Hallam where it stopped
30/03/2013 Alvaston Suspect search Search for possible burglars who had made off
30/03/2013 Codnor Search for vehicle Search for Ford Focus in Codnor area
30/03/2013 Dove Holes Missing person search Search for a missing female in Dove Holes area
28/03/2013 Littleover Search for vehicle Search for a stolen Mercedes in Littleover area
28/03/2013 Kinder Scout Missing person search Continuation of the search for missing person from New Mills
27/03/2013 Sudbury Search for vehicle Search for a silver car used in crime
27/03/2013 Alfreton Incident investigation Planning photographs in Alfreton area
27/03/2013 New Mills Missing person search Search around New Mills and Hadfield for missing person
26/03/2013 Hilton Search for vehicle Search for stolen heavy good vehicle
25/03/2013 Tibshelf Search for vehicle Search for stolen transit van in Tibshelf area


Week commencing 25/02/2013
Date Area Summary Remarks
03/03/2013 Ironville Suspect Search Search for suspects and a vehicle responsible for shoplifting
03/03/2013 Derbyshire Search for vehicle Patrol nuisance off road biker areas
02/03/2013 Barrow Hill Suspect Search Search for suspect within caravan sales compound
02/03/2013 Elvaston Castle Suspect Search Search for person responsible for breakin at Castle tearoom/ shop
02/03/2013 Woodville Missing Person Search Search for Intoxicated and distressed female, collapsed, caught in undergrowth and lost.
01/03/2013 Darley Abbey Suspect Search Search for robbery suspect in Darley Park
01/03/2013 Derby Suspect Search Search for passenger of a vehicle which had failed to stop London Rd Area
01/03/2013 Tibshelf Missing Person Search Search for missing person
01/03/2013 Allestree Suspect Search Search for a male who was stealing fuel from vehicles made off over gardens.
01/03/2013 Birdholme Incident Investigation Passing train saw torchlight trackside, search for any persons trackside
28/02/2013 Chaddesden Suspect Search Search of Chaddesden park for person who stole a joint of meat from Toby Carvery
28/02/2013 Chaddesden Incident Investigation Search for an alleged horse in gardens
28/02/2013 Spondon Suspect Search Search cycle paths for persons responsible for bicycle thefts
27/02/2013 Derby Missing Person Search Search of the river derwent for a missing person
27/02/2013 Derby Incident Investigation Evidential photographs of the Derby Royal Hospital
27/02/2013 Ilkeston Incident Investigation Evidential photographs around Ilkeston

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What type of helicopter does the force use?

The unit operates a Eurocopter EC135T2 helicopter. It was built in Germany and has twin Turbomeca Arrius engines. It was bought new and commenced operations in April 2004. It replaced the second-hand helicopter the unit started with in 1998. That helicopter was also a Eurocopter helicopter, an AS355N, commonly known as the 'squirrel'.

2. Is the helicopter owned or leased?

The helicopter is owned jointly by Derbyshire Constabulary and Nottinghamshire Police. The two forces formed a consortium in 1998 to buy and operate a helicopter for the two counties. The decision to own rather than lease was due to the encouragement by the Home Office to police forces to establish air support. There was an inducement to apply for capital grant towards the acquisition of an aircraft and the construction of an operating base.

3. How much did the helicopter cost and is it expensive to fly?

The current helicopter fully equipped with the latest technology, cost just over £3 million. The Home Office provided £1.44 million in grant and the old helicopter was sold to an operator in Italy for £0.5 million so the final cost to each force was approximately £600,000. The current (October 2008) cost to run the aircraft is £540 per hour. This is calculated on the amount of fuel, maintenance, and insurance on parts. Although this sounds expensive, the results show it is value for money.

4. Are the pilots police officers?

No, the pilots are contracted from a company. We have three permanent pilots and use relief pilots from the contractors to cover for leave and any sickness. The three pilots are all ex-military and have thousands of hours of operational flying experience. The crew consists of a pilot and two police air observers. The front observer's main job is to use the camera systems. The rear observer navigates and commands the incident from the air.

5. Who else can fly in the police helicopter?

Police helicopters in the UK operate under a Police Air Operators Certificate (PAOC) issued by the CAA. The certificate allows easements such as being able to fly lower than other aircraft, allowed to drop articles and permitted to carry firearms and ammunition. The certificate though, does have restrictions. Not being a commercial certificate, we cannot generate income from hiring out the aircraft and we are restricted to carrying 'CAA approved passengers'. Approved passengers are basically police officers and police staff in connection with their jobs. We can also carry casualties, medics and other emergency service personnel but only in connection with a specific emergency that they are dealing with.

6. Is the force helicopter also an air ambulance?

There is an air ambulance that operates out of East Midlands Airport covering Derbyshire. It is sometimes unavailable and the police helicopter receives requests to airlift a casualty from an incident or accident. As it is not an air ambulance when airlifting a casualty to transfer to hospital, a doctor or paramedic will accompany the patient. The helicopter has a specially designed stretcher that can be secured in the aircraft. The crews are trained in the use of a defibrillator, which is also kept on board. During the first ten years of operations, there have been 75 casualties air lifted in the police helicopter. Several would not be alive today had the aircraft not been available.

7. Why is the helicopter based at Ripley?

As the aircraft is supporting the two police forces of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire it was important to be located at a base central to the two counties. Ripley is right in the middle of the two county region. It is also within five minutes flying time of the two busiest places, which are the city areas of Nottingham and Derby. The aircraft flies around 150 mph. The longest transit is Glossop, which takes the helicopter 16 minutes to reach.

8. What type of work does the helicopter do?

The helicopter is part of Operations Division and its purpose is to support operational officers on the ground. It assists in searching for suspects, stolen and suspect vehicles and finding vulnerable missing people. The aircraft is used at major incidents where live video can be broadcast back to the operations room or to a portable receiver. Evidential and planning aerial photographs are regularly requested from police officers.

Ask The Police|

Do you need a quick answer to a general question? Then we recommend you visit the national Ask The Police web site.