A POLICE authority chairman last night refused to back down over plans to axe one of two helicopters shared by North-East forces.

Councillor Peter Thompson, chairman of Durham Police Authority, also said it was "wholly inappropriate" for his counterpart on the Cleveland Police Authority, Councillor Dave McLuckie, to interfere in its affairs.

Cleveland, Durham and Northumbria currently share two helicopters under the banner of the North-East Air Support Service.

But Durham and Northumbria have given notice that from March next year they will pull out of the agreement they have with Cleveland to share the near £3.5m annual cost of the two aircraft.

The two police authorities believe there is no justification for the continued use of two helicopters on operational grounds, particularly, as vehicle-related crime has declined.

Both aircraft also spend less than seven hours a day in the air between them.

Cleveland disagrees and has said it will go it alone by buying its own helicopter if necessary.

Asked whether he felt Cleveland was calling Durham's bluff, Coun Thompson said: "Our position remains precisely the same.

My position also will not change.

"If Cleveland want to establish their own arrangements for a helicopter, then so be it, but it is not for the want of trying on my part that the discussions we have had with them have not been concluded."

Coun McLuckie has questioned whether a single aircraft will be able to meet the significant demands placed on it by Northumbria, while also claiming he felt for the residents of County Durham and Darlington, whose needs he said would not be met.

But Coun Thompson said: "It is wholly inappropriate that he should interfere in the business of another police authority.

"There has been a constant barrage of activity through the media from Cleveland expressing certain views in the direction of Northumbria and Durham because they feel there is justification for a second helicopter.

"But I cannot go against the professional judgement of our officers, as the evidence suggests that only one helicopter can be justified in the future.

"I have also obtained assurances that the people of Durham and Darlington will not in any way be vulnerable."

Durham Police Authority has said that while operational changes are the "prime mover"

behind the plans, £1.5m could also be saved annually, money which could be reinvested in front line policing.