The '''National Police Air Service''' ('''NPAS''') is a police aviation service that provides centralised air support to the 43
The '''National Police Air Service''' ('''NPAS''') is a police aviation service that provides centralised air support to the 43
[[territorial police force]]s in [[England and Wales]], as well the three [[special police force|special police forces]] serving that area.<ref>{{cite web |title=National Police Air Service {{!}} West Yorkshire Police |url=https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/npas |website=www.westyorkshire.police.uk |access-date=18 June 2020}}</ref> It replaced the previous structure whereby police forces operated their own helicopters, either individually or in small consortia (such as the [[South East Air Support Unit]]).<ref name=acpo20101026>{{cite web | title = New plans for a national police air service | url = http://www.acpo.presscentre.com/Press-Releases/New-plans-for-a-national-police-air-service-a9.aspx | publisher = [[Association of Chief Police Officers]] | access-date = 5 January 2012 | date = 26 October 2010 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://archive.is/20130104112810/http://www.acpo.presscentre.com/Press-Releases/New-plans-for-a-national-police-air-service-a9.aspx | archive-date = 4 January 2013}}</ref> The project was coordinated by [[Alex Marshall (police officer)|Alex Marshall]] (the then [[Chief Constable]] of [[Hampshire Police]]).<ref name=acpo20121001>{{cite web | url = http://www.acpo.presscentre.com/Press-Releases/National-Police-Air-Service-is-launched-1a8.aspx | title = Press Release: National Police Air Service is launched | date = 1 October 2012 | publisher = [[Association of Chief Police Officers]] | access-date = 1 October 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121004014211/http://www.acpo.presscentre.com/Press-Releases/National-Police-Air-Service-is-launched-1a8.aspx | archive-date = 4 October 2012 | url-status = dead }}</ref> [[West Yorkshire Police]] is the lead force<ref name=acpo20121001/> and the service is coordinated from the NPAS Operations Centre, at [[Wakefield]], [[West Yorkshire]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.npas.police.uk/sites/npas.police.uk/files/files/npas_annual_report_2015_final.pdf| title = NPAS Annual Report 2014 - 2015 | publisher = NPAS | date = 27 January 2016 }}</ref>
[[territorial police force]]s in [[England and Wales]], as well the three [[special police force|special police forces]] serving that area.<ref>{{cite web |title=National Police Air Service {{!}} West Yorkshire Police |url=https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/npas |website=www.westyorkshire.police.uk |access-date=18 June 2020}}</ref> It replaced the previous structure whereby police forces operated their own helicopters, either individually or in small consortia (such as the [[South East Air Support Unit]]).<ref name=acpo20101026>{{cite web | title = New plans for a national police air service | url = http://www.acpo.presscentre.com/Press-Releases/New-plans-for-a-national-police-air-service-a9.aspx | publisher = [[Association of Chief Police Officers]] | access-date = 5 January 2012 | date = 26 October 2010 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://archive.is/20130104112810/http://www.acpo.presscentre.com/Press-Releases/New-plans-for-a-national-police-air-service-a9.aspx | archive-date = 4 January 2013}}</ref> The project was coordinated by [[Alex Marshall (police officer)|Alex Marshall]] (the then [[Chief Constable]] of [[Hampshire Police]]).<ref name=acpo20121001>{{cite web | url = http://www.acpo.presscentre.com/Press-Releases/National-Police-Air-Service-is-launched-1a8.aspx | title = Press Release: National Police Air Service is launched | date = 1 October 2012 | publisher = [[Association of Chief Police Officers]] | access-date = 1 October 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121004014211/http://www.acpo.presscentre.com/Press-Releases/National-Police-Air-Service-is-launched-1a8.aspx | archive-date = 4 October 2012 | url-status = dead }}</ref> [[West Yorkshire Police]] is the lead force<ref name=acpo20121001/> and the service is coordinated from the NPAS Operations Centre, at [[Wakefield]], [[West Yorkshire]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.npas.police.uk/sites/npas.police.uk/files/files/npas_annual_report_2015_final.pdf| title = NPAS Annual Report 2014 - 2015 | publisher = NPAS | date = 27 January 2016 }}</ref>
There was some initial criticism from forces around the service provided by NPAS when it began operation. This was primarily due to the reduction in number of bases and aircraft available, following general cuts by the UK Home Office to police funding. This led to [[Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services]] (HMICFRS) conducting a case study of NPAS with its conclusions made public on 30 November 2017. The report commented at some length on the governance and funding of the service provided. The report specifically stated that there was no criticism of NPAS staff or its operational delivery. HMRCFRS included the following observation in its press release:<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmicfrs/news/news-feed/national-police-air-service-needs-urgent-reform/|title=National Police Air Service needs urgent reform|work=HMICFRS|access-date=2017-11-30|language=en-GB}}</ref>
{{quote|With the number of bases being halved and the number of aircraft being cut by a third in the last 10 years, savings have primarily been made by cutting the service provided to forces rather than increasing efficiency. An inconsistent service means that many incidents requiring air support are over before a police helicopter can arrive. Moreover, we are concerned that the police service now operates insufficient aircraft to provide a consistently prompt response to incidents in all forces in England and Wales.|author = HMICFRS | title = Planes, drones and helicopters: an independent study of police air support}}
== History ==
== History ==
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=== Fixed wing operations ===
=== Fixed wing operations ===
In response to slashed budgets, NPAS investigated the use of fixed wing aircraft – as they are cheaper to fly and maintain. A new aeroplane base was created at [[Doncaster Sheffield Airport|Doncaster Airport]], housing four fixed wing assets.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Four Vulcanair P68Rs are on the beat for NPAS from Doncaster|url=https://wearedoncaster.co.uk/news/four-vulcanair-p68rs-are-on-the-beat-for-npas-from-doncaster/|access-date=2020-07-13|website=wearedoncaster.co.uk}}</ref> This came online in early 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Harding|first=Nick|date=2020-03-07|title=Police get four new fixed-wing eyes in the sky|url=https://ukaviation.news/police-get-four-new-fixed-wing-eyes-in-the-sky/|access-date=2020-07-13|website=UK Aviation News|language=en-GB}}</ref>
In response to slashed budgets, NPAS investigated the use of fixed wing aircraft – as they are cheaper to fly and maintain. A new aeroplane base was created at [[Doncaster Sheffield Airport|Doncaster Airport]], housing four fixed wing assets.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Four Vulcanair P68Rs are on the beat for NPAS from Doncaster|url=https://wearedoncaster.co.uk/news/four-vulcanair-p68rs-are-on-the-beat-for-npas-from-doncaster/|access-date=2020-07-13|website=wearedoncaster.co.uk}}</ref> This came online in early 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Harding|first=Nick|date=2020-03-07|title=Police get four new fixed-wing eyes in the sky|url=https://ukaviation.news/police-get-four-new-fixed-wing-eyes-in-the-sky/|access-date=2020-07-13|website=UK Aviation News|language=en-GB}}</ref>
There was some initial criticism from forces around the service provided by NPAS when it began operation. This was primarily due to the reduction in number of bases and aircraft available, following general cuts by the UK Home Office to police funding. This led to [[Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services]] (HMICFRS) conducting a case study of NPAS with its conclusions made public on 30 November 2017. The report commented at some length on the governance and funding of the service provided. The report specifically stated that there was no criticism of NPAS staff or its operational delivery. HMRCFRS included the following observation in its press release:<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmicfrs/news/news-feed/national-police-air-service-needs-urgent-reform/|title=National Police Air Service needs urgent reform|work=HMICFRS|access-date=2017-11-30|language=en-GB}}</ref>
{{quote|With the number of bases being halved and the number of aircraft being cut by a third in the last 10 years, savings have primarily been made by cutting the service provided to forces rather than increasing efficiency. An inconsistent service means that many incidents requiring air support are over before a police helicopter can arrive. Moreover, we are concerned that the police service now operates insufficient aircraft to provide a consistently prompt response to incidents in all forces in England and Wales.|author = HMICFRS | title = Planes, drones and helicopters: an independent study of police air support}}
==Fleet==
==Fleet==
Revision as of 08:53, 5 March 2021
Police aviation service providing air support in England and Wales
NPAS became operational on 1 October 2012,[5] and was rolled out across England and Wales in stages.[3] The service provides nineteen helicopters and four fixed wing aircraft, operating from fourteen bases.[6]
In February 2015 it was announced that, due to a 14% cut in revenue over the following three years, NPAS would be closing ten bases over two years.[8]
Fixed wing operations
In response to slashed budgets, NPAS investigated the use of fixed wing aircraft – as they are cheaper to fly and maintain. A new aeroplane base was created at Doncaster Airport, housing four fixed wing assets.[9] This came online in early 2020.[10]
Criticism
There was some initial criticism from forces around the service provided by NPAS when it began operation. This was primarily due to the reduction in number of bases and aircraft available, following general cuts by the UK Home Office to police funding. This led to Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) conducting a case study of NPAS with its conclusions made public on 30 November 2017. The report commented at some length on the governance and funding of the service provided. The report specifically stated that there was no criticism of NPAS staff or its operational delivery. HMRCFRS included the following observation in its press release:[11]
With the number of bases being halved and the number of aircraft being cut by a third in the last 10 years, savings have primarily been made by cutting the service provided to forces rather than increasing efficiency. An inconsistent service means that many incidents requiring air support are over before a police helicopter can arrive. Moreover, we are concerned that the police service now operates insufficient aircraft to provide a consistently prompt response to incidents in all forces in England and Wales.
— HMICFRS, Planes, drones and helicopters: an independent study of police air support
1 additional H135, formerly on long-term lease with the Norwegian Police Service, now serves exclusively as a training helicopter for new tactical flight officers.[13]
G-MPSC is one of NPAS' 4 EC145s that it inherited from forces that joined the scheme. The former Metropolitan Police helicopters have since been repainted and had the 'Metropolitan Police' markings removed, replacing simply with 'POLICE'.Vulcanair P68R - 4[12][14]
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