To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice he gives to chief constables and to the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis about the circumstances under which it is reasonable to use a helicopter in residential areas (a) during the day and (b) at night.

Police air operations are subject to safety rules and regulations made under the Civil Aviation Act 1982 and enforced by the Civil Aviation Authority. These specify minimum heights and closeness to high objects or buildings at which helicopters may fly over congested areas during the day and at night. Responsibility for the safe operation of police helicopters rests with chief police officers or the companies they employ to provide air services.