The First Minister has shown his support to ensuring Dyfed-Powys police continue to have access to a helicopter service.


Plans to replace the force helicopter with a fixed-wing aircraft have attracted criticism in the Dyfed Powys area.


The Carmarthenshire AM Rhodri Glyn Thomas questioned the First Minister and sought support for Dyfed-Powys Police’s campaign against the changes imposed by the UK Government.


Rhodri Glyn Thomas said: "The topography of the area means that emergency calls cannot be attended quickly enough by road. 
 

"That is why the police helicopter is of the utmost importance to the force’s operations.  The proposed fixed-wing aircraft will not have the same capability or manoeuvrability as the current helicopter to access all areas of a substantial part of the country.
 

He added: "The police need all the support it can get to challenge these changes and I am pleased the First Minister has backed my calls to support the police authority."