POLICE in North Yorkshire used helicopters for 33 incidents in the past financial year.

Although the force does not own a helicopter, the aircraft were scrambled from West Yorkshire, Humberside and the Durham area at a cost of more than £61,000.

In the previous financial year, they had to borrow aircraft 17 times at a cost of almost £64,600.

The cost differs depending on how long the helicopter is in the air. The aircraft are only used if police believe it will help catch a serious offender or are searching for missing people.