Case studies
Working together for continual air support
NPAS Exeter and Bournemouth crews worked together to provide a series of seamless handovers, ensuring Devon and Cornwall Police could be confident of the continual aerial containment of a high-risk firearms scene.
Exeter’s duty crew was monitoring local incidents on the afternoon of Friday 11 August 2023 when they heard reports of an agitated man in Brixham, Devon, armed with a 'machete and spear' and making threats to kill.
They deployed and quickly located the suspect on a coastal path, close to a cliff edge. A spear was seen nearby. Firearms officers were directed to the scene to begin negotiations. There was a risk he may have intended to end his life, either by police action or falling from the cliff, so lifeboat crews were also alerted.
After one-and-a-half hours in flight, NPAS 44 returned to refuel and the Bournemouth crew of NPAS 45 was tasked to take over, in what was described as a 'seamless handover'.
The Bournemouth crew continued to provide downlink footage to ground operations, flying for an hour and 47 minutes, before NPAS 44 returned and took over again. The crews alternated further into the evening until shortly after 8.30pm - five hours after the operation first began.
As darkness set in, the firearms officers moved in and arrested the suspect, bringing the operation to a safe conclusion.
A multi-agency response
NPAS, coastguard, mountain rescue and paramedic teams came together to rescue a 16- year-old boy who had fallen from the cliff edge into a disused quarry in North Wales.
A police helicopter crew from NPAS Hawarden was deployed to search for the boy just after 11pm on Wednesday 3 January 2024.
It was thought he might be somewhere within a large rural area, which included the disused quarry.
The crew arrived in 11 minutes and quickly located the boy at the bottom of a 40ft cliffside, lying on his back with a serious leg injury. Strong winds and heavy rain hampered the rescue further and increased the vulnerability of the boy.
The crew called for a HM Coastguard helicopter with a winch. Local mountain rescue and paramedic teams were also directed to the boy’s location, while the NPAS helicopter crew illuminated the scene with the aircraft’s powerful spotlight.
Adverse weather created challenging flying conditions but the police crew continued to monitor the safety of emergency responders as they made their way to the scene, remaining on the task for an hour and 18 minutes, until the coastguard aircraft arrived and the boy was taken for urgent treatment to head, spinal and leg injuries.
Saving lives
A crew from NPAS Newcastle landed to help save the life of a woman being dragged along in a fast-moving river.
They had been deployed to Stocksfield, Northumbria, on 5 February 2024 following reports that a woman had entered the water from a bridge and disappeared from sight.
The crew quickly located the distressed woman along with a member of the public who had entered the water to try to rescue her.
With no immediate emergency services nearby, the pilot landed so the Tactical Flight Officer could help rescue the unconscious woman. With the member of the public, he dragged her from the water.
Senior pilot Captain Adrian Hardwick said: “If the Tactical Flight Officer hadn't instigated a landing in order to assist, it was highly likely that we could have ended up with two people in the water in distress.
“His quick-thinking and commitment saved a life and prevented an escalation of this already serious incident, which would have caused further issues for all emergency services in attendance.”
A perfect airborne resource for all-day events
The endurance capabilities of the NPAS fixed wing aircraft make them the perfect airborne resource for all day events, such as major sporting fixtures.
In April 2023, the fixed wing team was called upon to work with Merseyside Police in planning for the 175th Grand National festival at Aintree racecourse.
Over the three-day event, the crews gave over 19 flying hours to provide an aerial overview in the pre, during and post phases of the public safety operation.
On the day of the racing fixture, the crew spent over five hours flying over the course and surrounding roads, neighbourhoods and scrubland - identifying potential pockets of anti-social behaviour and planned protests which threatened to disrupt the event and risk the safety of race-goers.
In one incident, the crew provided vital downlink images to the incident commanders of a diversionary incident involving 60-plus protestors trying to scale a perimeter fence and glue themselves to railings. Early advice and intelligence to the Silver Commander, combined with real-time images, enabled resources to be directed to the scene and led to multiple arrests.
Essential security support from the air crew gave assurances to the event organisers and police commanders that all potential areas of risk were clear of any threat to members of the public, protesting groups, event personnel, jockeys and horses.
Following this, the aircraft retained the ability to stay airborne for several hours, offering further public order patrols until the end of the event.
It was only as the large crowds left the racecourse that the crew was stood down to return to its base.
Outstanding performance
NPAS pilot Captain John Roberts was awarded the highly prestigious national aviation award, The Johnston Memorial Trophy, for his ‘outstanding performance in the operation of air systems’.
Capt Roberts received the 2023 award from The Honourable Company of Air Pilots. He was recognised for his coordination and planning role as part of UK Maritime Counter Terrorism (MCT) preparedness, with specialist responsibility for police air support provision.
In particular, he was instrumental in developing training for police crews involved in highly dynamic aviation situations, and assisted with the development of the communication infrastructure that allows images to be relayed, in real time, to operational command centres.
Head of NPAS Flight Operations Captain Paul Watts said: “John’s ability to plan and supervise complex operations has led to him coordinating aviation support during US Presidential visits. He has established effective working relationships with the US agencies and has been personally commended for his expertise and assistance in ensuring the successful movement, by helicopter, of POTUS during four visits. John’s ability to not only fly challenging missions, but to also
Planned operations
NPAS London and headquarters staff were awarded for their dedication and commitment in the policing of the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III in May 2023.
Our Continuing Airworthiness Management Support Officer and NPAS London Base Managers received a Chief Operating Officer's Commendation for their role in the planning of air support for what was one of the highest profile public events in recent UK history.
The Coronation ceremony was a major policing operation, attracting an international audience, and demanding exacting requirements from the Metropolitan Police Service.
Through intense planning, against a challenging backdrop of staff and aircraft availability plus last-minute maintenance requirements, the team played a key role in ensuring NPAS met the demand placed upon it to deliver a streamlined and reliable service.
A total of 24 NPAS employees were rewarded with Chief Operating Officer Commendations during 2023/24 for their dedication and commitment to policing.
20,000 flying hours for G-POLC
G-POLC achieved a historic milestone in 2023 as the first helicopter of its type worldwide to achieve 20,000 flying hours.
Operating from NPAS Barton, the aircraft - one of over 1,400 Airbus H135's operating in 65 countries - began its service in 2001 with the Chiltern Air Support Unit, supporting Thames Valley, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Police from Luton Airport.
By the end of 2023/24 with NPAS, the aircraft had clocked up a lifetime total of 20,558 flying hours.
Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters UK, Lenny Brown, said: "The helicopters flown by NPAS are among the hardest working aircraft that we provide to any customer anywhere in the world.”
In its 22-year history, G-POLC has supported some of the highest profile and operationally challenging events, as well as having a critical part to play in momentous occasions, such as the London Olympics 2012.
In 2023/24, G-POLC attended 1,131 taskings, in support of 15 different police forces. The vast majority were to assist Greater Manchester Police (567), Merseyside Police (178) and Lancashire Police (157). It flew for 663 hours in 2023/24.