§ Ms Julie MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many criminals were caught as 313W a direct result of the use of police helicopters by the South Wales Police in (a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99 and (d) 1999–2000; and how much stolen property was recovered as a direct result of the use of helicopters; [120835]
(2) how much it cost to operate the police helicopter tracker car recovery system used by the South Wales Police in the financial years (a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99 and (d) 1999–2000 broken down by the cost of (i) hire of helicopters, (ii) cost of staff and (iii) other costs. [120864]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeIn 1999–2000, the helicopter used jointly by South Wales Police and Gwent Constabulary was responsible for over 200 arrests and the recovery of £200,000 worth of stolen property. Information relating to previous years and to the use of the tracker recovery system is not immediately available and I will write to my hon. Friend once the details have been collected.