Cambridgeshire is to ground its air support operations and use cover from neighbouring forces in an initiative to save money and improve efficiencies.

Following approval by the Police Authority, the Force is entering into a consortium with Chiltern Air Support Unit – which will be backed up with existing arrangements with Suffolk and Essex police forces.

The Unit, which has helicopters based at RAF Henlow and RAF Benson in Oxford, is formed by TVP, Bedfordshire Police and Hertfordshire Constabulary.

It could answer up to 60 per cent of Cambridgeshire's calls for air support primarily in the west of the county. The Force's own air operation will be grounded.

Remaining calls, particularly those in the east of the county, could be picked up by Suffolk Constabulary air support and Essex Police air operations.

As well as saving money, the new approach is also the first step towards a National Air Operations Unit, which is expected to be phased in from April next year.

The proposal has been agreed by members of Cambridgeshire Police Authority.

Cambridgeshire Constabulary spokesman ACC Mark Hopkins told reporters "Cambridgeshire Constabulary's helicopter has been an invaluable crime fighting tool helping to recover both people and millions of pounds worth of drugs property."

He added that the split air service would provide the air support across Cambridgeshire, making better use of the helicopters already in service in both the Chiltern and Eastern Region Consortiums.

Chair of Cambridgeshire Police Authority Ruth Rogers said: "We are committed to supporting the constabulary in providing the most cost-effective air support service for the people of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough."