Eastern Counties Police Maintenance (EPCM) was formed by Cambridgeshire, Essex and Suffolk forces a year ago. It is a consortium where the forces involved work together to reduce costs and share air services.

The ECPM employs its own engineers direct and Cambridgeshire has moved to this service.

Cambridgeshire's aircraft - call sign QH88 - was previously serviced at Staverton airport in Cheltenham by Police Aviation Services - a 45 minute flight away, and a two-and-a-half hour drive back.

The ECPM service is based at RAF Wattisham - a mere 20 minute flight and one hour and 20 minutes' drive. The new maintenance service will save the force money, as well as officers' time in taking the aircraft to and from the servicing base.

Gordon Murray, the Cambridgeshire air operation unit's deputy executive officer, said: "Cambridgeshire Constabulary is now part owner of this maintenance provider. By bringing the maintenance service in house, we can save costs as well as forge closer links with our consortium friends."

Paul Marion, the unit executive officer of the consortium said: "There are budgetary savings by entering the partnership.

"We believe we can deliver a better service which is quicker with less down time for the aircraft.

"By being close by we can nip problems in the bud so little faults can get more attention, quicker, before they become big faults."


Note to editors:
Photograph attached: Consortium engineers stand with officers from Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Essex.

Pictured, from left to right are Dom Francis ECPM engineer, Sergeant Gordon Murray, Superintendent Jon Everett, Detective Chief Superintendent Stewart Gull, Chief Superintendent Andy Hebb, Superintendent Mike Shields, Sergeant Ady Powell, Nick Cushing maintenance manager, Nick Kempson ECPM engineer.

The helicopters, from left to right are: Suffolk's EC135, Essex's EC135 and Cambridgeshire's MD902.

If you cannot open the attached photograph, please contact Cambridgeshire Constabulary press office on 01480 422480 for an emailed version. More pictures of the helicopters are also available.