Flying Nottscops

One of the most high profile aspects of Nottscop's work in recent years is Nottinghamshire Police's joint operation with Derbyshire Constabulary in their air support unit. We've all had our sleep disturbed by them hovering above us in the middle of the night.

G-NMHS was a AS355N twin Squirrel helicopter, which was purchased from a Home Office grant of £1.565M to buy the aircraft (£1.1) and pay for the operating base to be built, buy equipment and uniform and train the Police Air Observers. The Unit commenced operations on 2 April 1998 operating from Derbyshire Constabualry's headquarters at Alfreton.

The helicopter was previously owned by the Dyfed Powys police who bought a new one. It was the most powerful one in its class and served the unit well until 1 April 2004, when they purchased the latest technology, the EC135 T2, which is the most advanced police helicopter in the world.

The new EC135 T2 Eurocopter was built in Germany and fitted with its specialist equipment by Oxford-based Eurocopter distributor McAlpine Helicopters. It has a top speed of 150mph and is equiped with the latest flight systems and police role equipment.

The helicopter's capabilities include: Thermal imaging/video camera/television system; video recording; microwave transmission of video to police communication centres and remote sites; computerised navigation including streets and individual premises; searchlight; public address system; casualty stretcher and Airwave digital communications allowing speech with individual officers and the public.