Devon and Cornwall Police has a new helicopter. The Eurocopter EC145 has already made its maiden operational flight and, during its first day s service, was involved in evacuating a seriously injured motorist and locating a vulnerable missing person.

Devon and Cornwall Police has a new helicopter.

The Eurocopter EC145 has already made its maiden operational flight and, during its first day's service, was involved in evacuating a seriously injured motorist and locating a vulnerable missing person.

The new machine replaces the former Eurocopter BK117 machine and has been three years in the planning by the force's air operations team.

As well as having better external design, aerodynamics and being quieter, the new helicopter also has improved air endurance with the ability to fly for two and-a-half hours - compared to only 90 minutes with the previous machine.

It also has upgraded digital avionics and auto-pilot, bringing greater capability and reliability.