The Met Police have operated three helicopters from their bases in Essex and Surrey for years. In addition to the sexy stuff seen on TV (chases etc) they routinely get involved in missing person incidents where they can rapidly search large areas. They have been involved in directing marine crews to people in the Thames and ground units to all sorts of villains hiding in gardens and on roofs

Then there's the London angle. Major trials needs the prisoner's moved through busy streets. World VIPs also need looking after as they move about, and there's the almost daily demonstrations. The Met's ASU unit have provided 24/7 coverage, but evidence says that has already changed to a second class service

From 1st April, all the UK's air support aircraft are now under one organisation - the National Police Air Service. The move will save money but the level of service will not be effected says the PR blurb.

Within hours of the changes, the underground cable fire occurred in Holborn. The Fire Brigade requested thermal images to help them check for spread under buildings. A friend of mine was involved in this part of the incident where it was revealled to him that this single helicopter was the only one covering London at that time. So much for the promises of no reduction of service.

So if your elderly relative wanders off across the common, or your grandchild is missing on some gravel pits - and this happens at the same time as Cameron is entertaining a foreign VIP - you can bet which incident the Police will cover (and it wont be to help you!)

Lastly, the Police are always happy to promote how well they are doing via PR events with their helicopter(s). There;s 1000s of hours of documentaries, they have attended School open days and are always there in the background t launch a new crime initiative. But the cuts haven't received so much coverage

I like the way politico,s spin everything "we are a wealthy country,best performining in the EU so we can give billions to african dictators" then 5 mins later "we are skint and must let pensioners die from cold"while lefties insist on "we must feed,house and look after anyone who WANTS to come to this country" with no idea how it will be funded,one clown this morning on the radio said "the bank of England could just print some more money".

Doesn't sound good.