Response times
In 2022/23, our aircraft crews were deployed to 4,621 priority one incidents.
These are when there is an immediate threat to a life, a crime is in action or there is a national or terrorism incident.
The average time to reach a scene from receiving a call was 12 minutes, 18 seconds.
Operating a police aviation service involves much more than just putting aircraft in the sky. Our teams need the best equipment to work collaboratively, gather evidence, communicate and stay safe, which is why our Project Delivery Team is an integral part of our service.
Read about what it’s like being a line pilot as a job - flying a Police fixed wing aircraft.
Between April 2023 and March 2024, our fixed wing crews were deployed 577 times and flew for 506 hours in support of 39 different police forces.
NPAS is the only holder of a Police Air Operator's Certificate (PAOC) in England and Wales.
To retain our PAOC we are required to employ nine European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Civil Aviation Authority-approved Form 4 holders, also known as nominated persons.
Projects
Operating a police aviation service involves much more than just putting aircraft in the sky.
Our teams need the best equipment to gather evidence, communicate and stay safe, which is why our Project Management Office is an integral part of our service.
Flying to more than 20,000 tasks every year, crews provide effective aerial support to ground based officers and in doing so improve operational response to incidents within the highest safety standards.
We work in partnership with many valued suppliers who are procured, with the support of BlueLight Commercial, to deliver a wide range of services. Our greatest contract spend continues to be for the maintenance of our fleet.