Letter: Effectiveness of a police helicopter

Sir: I am sorry that John Morley (Letters, 21 May) considers that Brighton is plagued by the Sussex police helicopter. Residents who have been grateful for its timely arrival would doubtless take a different view. The coastline is a rapid and easy route to incidents for the helicopter from its base at Shoreham. Fewer people are affected than if it travelled further inland, and in the unlikely event of engine failure safety is greater.

The helicopter is certainly expensive, but very cost-effective, particularly at combating crime and assisting at serious accidents. It rarely deals with smuggling, whether in daylight or otherwise.

Yours faithfully,

PAUL WHITEHOUSE

Chief Constable

Sussex Police

Lewes, East Sussex