I read with a degree of amazement the news story in which a police officer was punched by a man detained under a routine stop and search.

This incident occurred at 11.15am and as a result the police helicopter was launched and searched for the man until 12.15pm.

Leaving aside the blindingly obvious, which is that in the time it takes for the helicopter to be scrambled and on scene, the assailant could be almost anywhere within a mile of the incident; a fact confirmed by the inability of the helicopter crew to find the suspect.

It beggars belief that this could be classified as best use of such a resource.

I have seen other reports where the helicopter has been launched to assist in the search for miscreants when it is clear the use of the helicopter can at best be described as a public relations exercise.

Perhaps the responsible officer could tell us the cost of having the helicopter launched and in the air for nearly an hour.

More police on the streets will be of greater value than an expensive helicopter flitting through the skies of Wiltshire.

D Morgan.

Swindon