How air support is deployed | National Police Air Service

The National Police Air Service (NPAS) runs a fully coordinated, 24/7 operation to deliver air support wherever it’s needed across England and Wales.

Centralised coordination

All requests for air support are managed by the NPAS Operations Centre, which operates around the clock, every day of the year. This central hub receives and processes requests from police forces and partner agencies, ensuring the right aircraft and crew are deployed as quickly and efficiently as possible.

How requests are handled

Requests are assessed by a team of experienced Flight Dispatchers. To qualify for air support, officers must demonstrate that there is a significant threat, risk, or harm to individuals, communities, or property - and that air support is necessary to assist officers on the ground.

If the request meets the criteria, the nearest available aircraft is dispatched - whether it’s already airborne or launching from one of our bases.

Real-time communication and safety

Throughout every mission, NPAS crews remain in constant radio contact with the Operations Centre. This ensures:

National safety standards are met
Real-time updates on aircraft location and availability
Better coordination and prioritisation of resources across the country

Supporting partner agencies

In addition to police forces, NPAS can also support other emergency services and agencies, including:

Fire and Rescue Services
British Transport Police (BTP)
Maritime and Coastguard Agency (Search and Rescue coordination)

All deployments are coordinated through local police forces to ensure accountability and operational clarity.

Regulated and responsible

NPAS operations are strictly regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). This includes compliance with aviation safety standards and regulations around aircraft noise and community impact.