RHUDDLAN Police aircraft base will close later this year as part of a National Police Air Service restructure.

The service confirmed plans to downsize to a 15-base national model will mean closing ten bases across the country in the next two years, including Rhuddlan which is planned to close on September 15.

The announcement also means 19 helicopters and four fixed-wing aircraft will be in operation once all the plans are in place and the nearest available NPAS aircraft will attend requests from forces rather than individual forces having their own aircrafts.

NPAS has achieved overall savings of 23 per cent, amounting to £11 million, but the accountable manager for the National Police Air Service, chief superintendent Ian Whitehouse, said the service needs to find further substantial financial savings with a target of 14% of revenue cuts over the next three years.

He said: “Local police forces facing similar savings are looking at how they rationalise their estate and ways of operating and NPAS is no different in this regard.

"On Thursday 19 February the National Police Air Service Strategic Board therefore decided to move to the 15-base model.

"This move will help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the service and mean that every base supports police forces 24 hours a day.

Superintendent Rob Kirman, North Wales Police, said: “We are aware of NPAS plans to move to a 15 base model which will see North Wales retain a service which will be solely based at Hawarden.

“Compared to the former model, the NPAS continues to provide many advantages, such as coverage by replacement aircrafts when needed and the use of the fixed wing aircrafts.

“We will continue to receive 24 hour support for the North Wales area and with resources being transferred to Hawarden in Flintshire the additional air travelling time is minimal.

Chris Ruane, MP for Vale of Clwyd, said: “Helicopters can cover a wider area at much greater speed and have become a hugely useful tool for police forces.

“I would be very concerned if this measure resulted in a reduction in air support to North Wales.”