First glimpse of helicopter

This is the new £4 million crime-busting helicopter which is taking the fight against crooks to the skies of West Midlands from today.

The new Eurocopter has spent six months being fitted out with the latest equipment.

It will help in police chases, missing person hunts and rooftop searches. Space-age technology will enable it to read number plates from three miles away, and cutting-edge camera and thermal-imaging equipment will detect objects as small as a hedgehog on the ground.

Improved night-vision will help in high-speed car chases. It is said to be one of the best police helicopters available and replaces the force's ageing Explorer, which was introduced into service in 2000. It will be based at Birmingham International Airport.

In 2005, the Express & Star first revealed concerns that the Explorer was no longer fit for purpose.

Technical and maintenance problems meant it was regularly being grounded, with officers having to call for air support from two helicopters shared between five neighbouring forces.

Police say the new aircraft's high-definition video and thermal camera system will produce high-quality footage and crucial evidence to bring before courts.

Chief Constable Paul Scott-Lee said today: "This new helicopter will be a great asset to West Midlands Police. The advances in technology will mean that we will be able to build upon our achievements and provide an even better level of service."

West Midlands Police Authority chairman Councillor Diana Holl-Allen said it was a "significant investment in cutting-edge technology".

The Air Operations Unit, which runs the helicopter, was set up in 1989 and comprises 19 staff with five pilots. Its helicopter is on standby 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Last year, the old helicopter flew on 3,315 operations and clocked up 1,160 hours in the air.

By Crime Correspondent Mike Woods