Dorset Police ASU to fight night-flying ban
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Dorset Police ASU to fight night-flying ban
From ThisisDorset.net
DORSET Police is to fight a decision to stop them flying their helicopter around the clock.
The force has applied to Purbeck District Council for permission to lift restrictions on the aircraft flying between 2am-7am from its base at Winfrith.
Earlier this month, councillors ruled against the police following objections from residents on noise and location grounds.
Coun Malcolm Shakesby also sparked a row after claiming some police pilots were `gung-ho' and said he was `sure they must have flown in Vietnam'.
Dorset Chief Constable Jane Stichbury says the force will appeal against Purbeck District Council's decision. Speaking at meeting of the Dorset Police Authority, Mrs Stichbury claimed the decision was a blow in the fight against crime in the county.
"Criminals do not stop at 2am," she said. "This decision to allow not even a trial period of operation is most regrettable. I don't think this allows us to provide justice for the needs of local people.
"There is a strong feeling among local people that this decision is depriving people of potential protection during hours that they are likely to be particularly vulnerable."
Mrs Stichbury also hit back at comments by some Purbeck councillors who claimed the police chopper was too noisy.
"The type of helicopter that was chosen was done so because it is the quietest of its type," she said.
The police chief also branded Coun Shakesby's comments 'regrettable and inappropriate'.
She said the force had only received six complaints in three years about the helicopter.
Mrs Stichbury added: "There has been significant opposition to this issue by one individual.
"The comments over the skills of our pilots have been incredibly regrettable and inappropriate.
"There have been six complaints in three years about the helicopter across our entire area. We will be appealing this decision."
The force helicopter is currently grounded from 2am-7am but police wanted extra flexibility to swoop when criminals are more active.
Coun Mike Byatt said: "It is important to remember that the helicopter is not a luxury. It is a vital crime-fighting tool that ensures the force ensures we provide effective community safety."
Are any other ASU's subject to night-flying restrictions?
Police to fight time limit on helicopter
DORSET Police is to fight a decision to stop them flying their helicopter around the clock.
The force has applied to Purbeck District Council for permission to lift restrictions on the aircraft flying between 2am-7am from its base at Winfrith.
Earlier this month, councillors ruled against the police following objections from residents on noise and location grounds.
Coun Malcolm Shakesby also sparked a row after claiming some police pilots were `gung-ho' and said he was `sure they must have flown in Vietnam'.
Dorset Chief Constable Jane Stichbury says the force will appeal against Purbeck District Council's decision. Speaking at meeting of the Dorset Police Authority, Mrs Stichbury claimed the decision was a blow in the fight against crime in the county.
"Criminals do not stop at 2am," she said. "This decision to allow not even a trial period of operation is most regrettable. I don't think this allows us to provide justice for the needs of local people.
"There is a strong feeling among local people that this decision is depriving people of potential protection during hours that they are likely to be particularly vulnerable."
Mrs Stichbury also hit back at comments by some Purbeck councillors who claimed the police chopper was too noisy.
"The type of helicopter that was chosen was done so because it is the quietest of its type," she said.
The police chief also branded Coun Shakesby's comments 'regrettable and inappropriate'.
She said the force had only received six complaints in three years about the helicopter.
Mrs Stichbury added: "There has been significant opposition to this issue by one individual.
"The comments over the skills of our pilots have been incredibly regrettable and inappropriate.
"There have been six complaints in three years about the helicopter across our entire area. We will be appealing this decision."
The force helicopter is currently grounded from 2am-7am but police wanted extra flexibility to swoop when criminals are more active.
Coun Mike Byatt said: "It is important to remember that the helicopter is not a luxury. It is a vital crime-fighting tool that ensures the force ensures we provide effective community safety."
Last edited by Heliport; 1st Mar 2004 at 15:18.
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Sounds like a fairly classic case of NIMBY then! 
It never ceases to amaze me how in the UK we have a system that essentially allows one person to succeed in their objections to something without any regard for its value and what everyone else thinks about it.
The restriction presumably arises from planning requirements which restricts the use of the land development on the ASU base site. Local authorities cannot actually impose any controls directly onto aircraft. Dorset ASU could always take off from their base at 0159 and land in the field next to Councillor S's house (up to 28 days per year). They can then fly from there without restriction, until they fly back to their base at 0701!
It never ceases to amaze me how in the UK we have a system that essentially allows one person to succeed in their objections to something without any regard for its value and what everyone else thinks about it.
The restriction presumably arises from planning requirements which restricts the use of the land development on the ASU base site. Local authorities cannot actually impose any controls directly onto aircraft. Dorset ASU could always take off from their base at 0159 and land in the field next to Councillor S's house (up to 28 days per year). They can then fly from there without restriction, until they fly back to their base at 0701!
