Topic ID 1392
... and probably waking a few people in the town centre and Bengeo in the process. Anyone know why?
Reply ID 17246
I was just posting on this.........I note the absence of the searchlights though..... ........long time no see.....
Reply ID 17249
the bugger kept me awake for ages, just when I thought it had gone it was over my roof again.......it wasn't me officer honestly! [;)]
Reply ID 17250
There was a fair bit of commotion in town last night (1am-ish). An Ambulance was parked up by Thorntons and a police officer ran from there, down Bull Plain towards Hartham, all this while the Helicopter circled overhead. Very Strange.[?]
Reply ID 17298
As I understand it; one person got a good kicking by two others, spotted by a licensee who using the Town Watch radio alerted both police and CCTV, the latter would have patched pictures to the former - hence the activity. The end result - two bodies arrested.
Reply ID 17299
Just out of interest, how much does it cost the taxpayer for them to circle Hartham for an hour or so in their big chopper, just to catch a couple of ruffians? Are cars, bikes and a good old foot chase not the done thing anymore. What a waste of money! Had to edit this, before anyone jumped to conclusions. I am glad the 2 louts got caught, but to use the helicopter is a bit much.
Reply ID 17304
quote:The person getting the kicking would probably disagree. And so do I.
Originally posted by Victor Meldrew
Just out of interest, how much does it cost the taxpayer for them to circle Hartham for an hour or so in their big chopper, just to catch a couple of ruffians? Are cars, bikes and a good old foot chase not the done thing anymore. What a waste of money! Had to edit this, before anyone jumped to conclusions. I am glad the 2 louts got caught, but to use the helicopter is a bit much.
Reply ID 17305
As it was dark they could easily have lost sight of the villians. I would imagine that the chopper has a heat seeking camera which could have located them. The chopper was up their for about 15-20 minutes.
Reply ID 18314
quote:92p per tax payer per year. There are 2 big choppers protecting 3.5 million tax payers in three counties - Herts, Beds and Bucks - costing £3.25m per annum. Something like that, anyway. The cost per tax payer is 92p per year. Probably the best value for money we get from the policy force.
Originally posted by Victor Meldrew
Just out of interest, how much does it cost the taxpayer for them to circle Hartham for an hour or so in their big chopper, just to catch a couple of ruffians? Are cars, bikes and a good old foot chase not the done thing anymore. What a waste of money! Had to edit this, before anyone jumped to conclusions. I am glad the 2 louts got caught, but to use the helicopter is a bit much.
Reply ID 18324
quote:Seem's good value to me.
Originally posted by 2929paul
[quote]Originally posted by Victor Meldrew
Just out of interest, how much does it cost the taxpayer for them to circle Hartham for an hour or so in their big chopper, just to catch a couple of ruffians? Are cars, bikes and a good old foot chase not the done thing anymore. What a waste of money! Had to edit this, before anyone jumped to conclusions. I am glad the 2 louts got caught, but to use the helicopter is a bit much 92p per tax payer per year. There are 2 big choppers protecting 3.5 million tax payers in three counties - Herts, Beds and Bucks - costing £3.25m per annum. Something like that, anyway. The cost per tax payer is 92p per year. Probably the best value for money we get from the policy force.
Reply ID 18337
It would appear that the helicopters are used proactively as well as reactively. http://www.herts.police.uk/crimedatabase/site/content.php?article_id=2339
Reply ID 19152
I remember seeing and hearing this helicopter. The UK Auxiliary Air Service, who have a pool of pilots and observers who donate both their time and their aircraft free of charge, is not paid for by the taxpayer. Most of their work is proactive; people are up there looking out, helping to prevent incidents turning into tragedies, and providing an aerial observation service.
Reply ID 19719
Helicopters are a valuable tool when it comes to catching criminals and saving lives. You can see on tv how useful they are at keeping an eye on unsuspecting criminals or even finding lost people in the middle of the countryside. Night sight is especially useful on Hartham Common, think about trying to catch a criminal that has a good few minutes on you in the dark with no street lighting,....