POLICE helicopters in the region recovered £910,000 of stolen property during the past year, 62 per cent more than the year before.

The two aircraft, one based at Newcastle International Airport, the other at Durham Tees Valley Airport, made the haul during their busiest year since the formation of the North East Air Support Unit in 1995.

The unit was called out nearly 6,000 times during 2006/07, the helicopters sharing an average of 16 call-outs a day, more than ever before.

Officers at the unit believe the increase in usage is a result of a greater understanding amongst ground forces of how useful air support is at the scene of an incident.

Sergeant Dave Clark, of the North-East Air Support Unit, said: "The police on the ground are getting more used to calling us out. In our first year, because it was brand new, we weren't used as much, but now they know what we are capable of.

"They are becoming adept at activating this resource with spectacular results."

The two helicopters cover the whole of the North-East, from Northumbria and Cleveland to Durham policing areas. North Yorkshire Cumbria Police do not have their own helicopters, but rent the North-East aircraft on an ad-hoc basis. In the North East, there has been an 29 per cent increase in missing person searches, 832 made during 2006/07.

The unit also made 862 arrests, and completed 60 search and rescue operations, up by five per cent.

A four per cent increase in casualty evacuations resulted in 78 incidents.

Sgt Clark believed the most effective use of the aircraft is in high speed pursuit of stolen vehicles, with 443 call-outs during the year.

He said: "I can't remember, in my two years here, one case of the car getting away from us once we have eyes on it.

"One of the biggest factors in the reduction of crime in the UK over the past decade is the advent of CCTV. But when you combine that with the Air Support Unit, you have a very powerful weapon against crime.

"We all feel very lucky to have this job. We've all worked very hard to get here, it's a much sought after job amongst the force."