Search operations
NPAS aircraft can assist police teams searching for missing or vulnerable people across large or difficult-to-access areas.
United Kingdom Police Service
National Police Air Service
The National Police Air Service (NPAS) provides aviation support to police forces across England and Wales, giving officers an aerial perspective that can assist with a wide range of policing operations.
What is NPAS?
A specialist aviation service supporting policing from the air.
The National Police Air Service, commonly known as NPAS, provides dedicated aviation support to police forces across England and Wales. Operating specialist aircraft and working alongside police officers on the ground, NPAS can provide an aerial perspective during a wide variety of incidents and operations. The service can assist with locating people, monitoring situations, supporting searches and providing information to officers on the ground. Its aircraft can cover large areas quickly, making aviation support particularly useful when incidents involve difficult terrain, large search areas or rapidly changing circumstances. NPAS personnel work as part of the wider policing operation. Aircrew communicate with officers and control rooms, providing information that can help inform decisions while an incident is developing. The service also supports planned policing activity, helping forces make use of specialist aviation capability when it is considered appropriate.
A different perspective on policing
NPAS provides capabilities that complement the work of officers on the ground. From above, aircrew can observe large areas and provide information to police teams responding to incidents. The service combines aviation expertise with policing support, helping officers build a clearer picture of events and locate people or vehicles when aerial assistance is appropriate.
How NPAS supports policing
Aviation support can provide valuable assistance across many different areas of police work.
Incident support
Aircrew can provide an aerial perspective during developing incidents and pass relevant information to officers on the ground.
Vehicle tracking
Aerial support can assist police in locating and monitoring vehicles during appropriate policing operations.
Public protection
NPAS can support police responses where locating people quickly is important to protecting members of the public.
Specialist support
The service can provide aviation capability to police forces that require additional resources during significant operations.
Information gathering
Aerial observation can help officers understand what is happening across a wider area and support operational decision-making.
At a glance
- National
- Aviation support
- Air
- Specialist capability
- Team
- Police collaboration
- 24/7
- Operational readiness
NPAS provides specialist aviation support to police forces across England and Wales.
The service uses aviation resources to complement policing on the ground.
NPAS aircrew work alongside police officers and control rooms during operations.
Aviation support can form part of the response to policing incidents when required.
Discover specialist policing from the air
NPAS brings together aviation and policing expertise to provide a specialist service supporting police forces and communities across England and Wales.
Frequently asked questions
NPAS stands for the National Police Air Service. It provides specialist aviation support to police forces across England and Wales.
NPAS provides aerial support for policing activities, including searches, incident support, locating people and vehicles, and other operations where an aerial perspective can assist police officers.
NPAS provides aviation support to police forces across England and Wales and works alongside officers and other policing teams.
NPAS aircraft are operated by specialist aviation personnel working as part of the service. Their roles combine aviation expertise with the requirements of police operations.
An aircraft can cover large areas and provide an elevated view of an incident or search area. This can give officers information that may be difficult to obtain from the ground.
No. In addition to responding to incidents, aviation resources can support planned policing activity and other operations where specialist aerial capability is appropriate.
Learn more about NPAS
For official information about the National Police Air Service, its work and employment opportunities, consult the relevant official police and NPAS information sources.
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Meet the full team
Commissioner
Ryan Bradley
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Deputy Commissioner
Sorley Hall
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Assistant Commissioner
Darren Stubbs
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Chief Superintendent
Jack Thompson
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Superintendent
Liam Darch
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Chief Inspector
Jamie Dickins
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