Police in B.C. have a new crime-fighting tool -- a second helicopter in the sky for 17 Lower Mainland municipalities.

Solicitor General John van Dongen says Air 2 will add to the success of the existing chopper that has brought hundreds of high-speed pursuits, foot chases and incidents involving illegal guns to safe conclusions.

He says that like Air 1, the new high-tech helicopter is equipped with infra-red cameras for tracking suspects at night.

Air 1 took flight in July 2006 and van Dongen says it has contributed to 1,300 arrests for offences such as robbery and street racing.

"It's almost impossible to outrun a helicopter," he says.

Bob Rich, president of the B.C. Association of Municipal Chiefs of Police, says both choppers will help provide officers with a safe and effective way to apprehend suspects.

He says one of the biggest accomplishments of the police tools is cutting down the numbers of deadly street chases.

"We've come to understand puts public at horrible risk," he says.

The new $2.3-million helicopter was bought through an agreement with the province and ICBC, and included a $700,000 contribution from the federal government.

With files from The Canadian Press