POLICE chiefs in North Yorkshire are considering joining forces with their neighbours to share the cost of running helicopters.

North Yorkshire Police is in discussions with Humberside, West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire Police about the possibility of pooling resources to pay for the servicing and engineering of their eyes in the sky.

The move would include buying parts in bulk to save cash and is one of a number of initiatives the forces are considering as they aim to cope with public spending cuts.

Police helicopters are already used to provide help during searches and to monitor large crowds, such as those attending football matches.

The potential helicopter initiative is seen as being an extension of current shared resources across Yorkshire forces, which include a regional crime unit, an asset recovery team, a roads crime team and an intelligence unit.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “North Yorkshire Police do not have a helicopter, which means we buy in this resource from neighbouring forces when an incident or operation requires air support.

“We are satisfied that this arrangement is effective for our needs and provides best value at this point in time.

“However, North Yorkshire Police is playing a full part in discussions between the four police forces in the Yorkshire and Humberside region to deliver value for money through collaboration.

“This process was recently outlined in the Deloitte consultancy report, in which air support was just one aspect that is under review.”

So far in North Yorkshire this month, a police helicopter has been used in the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of York chef Claudia Lawrence, drafted in to assist in a car chase in Selby following the theft of a vehicle, and mobilised after a balaclava-wearing man wielding a knife tried to rob a store in Acomb, York, before holing up in a nearby home.