The National Police Air Service (NPAS) has a national network of bases across England and Wales.
In addition to the regional bases displayed on the map, NPAS also operates from a base at Lippitts Hill, Epping Forest, from which it provides a 24-hour air service for London, in support of the Metropolitan Police Service.
In 2023/24, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) carried out eight external audits on activities at NPAS headquarters and regional air bases. The purpose of these audits is to ensure NPAS is complying with CAA regulations, in addition to its own operating procedures.
Our National Police Air Service Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs. Such as : What is the National Police Air Service (NPAS)? Who hosts the operation and service of NPAS? How is NPAS funded? Why do police forces need air support? And more...
As a National Police Air Service (NPAS) Tactical Flight Officer (TFO) you’ll take to the sky and help save lives, tackle criminality and keep people and communities safe across England and Wales 24/7, 365 days a year.
The National Police Air Service (NPAS) provides all police forces across England and Wales with air support. NPAS runs a fleet of helicopters from a national network of bases.
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.
The NPAS National Strategic Board is a comprised of a Chief Officer and Police and Crime Commissioner for each of the six National Police Air Service (NPAS regions), a representative of the Home Secretary and the National Business Area Lead for Police Aviation.
NPAS has provided air support to police forces in England and Wales since 2012.It was established through a collaboration agreement, which brought forces together to deliver a cost-effective and efficient national service, hosted by West Yorkshire Police.
This report highlights the valuable and unique work of the ground and air crews of the National Police Air Service (NPAS).
NPAS is the UK’s largest non-military operator of onshore helicopters.
On 31 March 2024, there were 254 people working for NPAS, which included 99 police officers who are seconded from various police forces across England and Wales. There were 39.15 vacancies.