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Row sparked over Dyfed-Powys police helicopter | Row sparked over Dyfed-Powys police helicopter |
(14 days later) | |
A row has broken out over the loss of a police helicopter base with claims there was not "one shred of opposition" to losing the service. | A row has broken out over the loss of a police helicopter base with claims there was not "one shred of opposition" to losing the service. |
The site in Pembrey, Carmarthenshire, shuts on 1 January 2016 due to cuts by the National Police Air Service (NPAS). | The site in Pembrey, Carmarthenshire, shuts on 1 January 2016 due to cuts by the National Police Air Service (NPAS). |
Plaid Cymru has accused Dyfed-Powys police and crime commissioner (PCC) Christopher Salmon of not doing enough to save it. | Plaid Cymru has accused Dyfed-Powys police and crime commissioner (PCC) Christopher Salmon of not doing enough to save it. |
But Mr Salmon said he was "fighting for the best possible police air service". | But Mr Salmon said he was "fighting for the best possible police air service". |
Following the decision in February to cut the number of bases across England and Wales to 15, Mr Salmon said it was "deeply disappointing". | Following the decision in February to cut the number of bases across England and Wales to 15, Mr Salmon said it was "deeply disappointing". |
But a Freedom of Information request was submitted by Plaid MP Jonathan Edwards and AM Rhodri Glyn Thomas requesting to see the minutes of the NPAS meeting in February. | |
They say the minutes reveal the PCC was "reluctant to oppose" the new NPAS model, which will see the dedicated Dyfed-Powys helicopter removed from operation. | They say the minutes reveal the PCC was "reluctant to oppose" the new NPAS model, which will see the dedicated Dyfed-Powys helicopter removed from operation. |
'Huge fanfare' | 'Huge fanfare' |
Mr Thomas, the Carmarthen East and Dinefwr AM, said: "Given his recent public statements it is almost inconceivable that the police commissioner was reluctant to oppose the loss of our dedicated police helicopter. | Mr Thomas, the Carmarthen East and Dinefwr AM, said: "Given his recent public statements it is almost inconceivable that the police commissioner was reluctant to oppose the loss of our dedicated police helicopter. |
"Just six months ago the commissioner announced to huge fanfare that he had reached an agreement to secure the helicopter's future. | "Just six months ago the commissioner announced to huge fanfare that he had reached an agreement to secure the helicopter's future. |
"Three months later, however, he sat in a meeting having been confronted with a change in that agreement and yet the minutes suggest he didn't put up one shred of opposition to losing the service that serves the people he is meant to represent." | "Three months later, however, he sat in a meeting having been confronted with a change in that agreement and yet the minutes suggest he didn't put up one shred of opposition to losing the service that serves the people he is meant to represent." |
Mr Salmon said he was "fighting for the best possible police air service for the people of Dyfed-Powys". | Mr Salmon said he was "fighting for the best possible police air service for the people of Dyfed-Powys". |
He said: "The chief constable and I continue to discuss - with NPAS - the needs of our communities. | He said: "The chief constable and I continue to discuss - with NPAS - the needs of our communities. |
"I won't sign up for any service that doesn't meet the needs of our region or match what we're paying for." | "I won't sign up for any service that doesn't meet the needs of our region or match what we're paying for." |
Mr Thomas has called on Mr Salmon to clarify his position on the future of the helicopter. | Mr Thomas has called on Mr Salmon to clarify his position on the future of the helicopter. |
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