A STATE-OF-THE-ART police helicopter which will attend missions in Essex is now in place.

The National Police Air Service was officially handed the new EC135 T2+ chopper at its Boreham base by helicopter company Bond last week.

The aircraft will mainly help to serve police operations in Essex but could be moved anywhere in the country dependant on which missions arise..

Features including a mission management system, powerful search light and public address system means it is the most advanced police helicopter available.

This is the first step of a project to bring seven new helicopters into the force’s fleet and upgrade the other 15 which is expected to cost between £5 million and £10 million.

David Plester, CEO Northern Europe for Babcock Mission Critical Services, said: “I’m delighted to be able to hand over this aircraft to NPAS.

“This is the first of seven we have been contracted to upgrade and we believe this to be the most advanced police support helicopter anywhere in the world today.

“Getting to this stage is the result of significant innovative engineering and very close co-operation between Bond and NPAS technical specialists.

“Our experienced team has designed and integrated the very best mission systems equipment, which we believe will make a real difference to the helicopters’ crime-fighting capabilities.

“We are looking forward to working with NPAS to deliver another six world-class police air assets, supported into the future.”

Chairman of the NPAS National Strategic Board Mark Burns-Williamson said: ““Air support is very important to policing; it can help save lives and catch criminals and this helicopter has some of the best kit available to help support the police in their work.”