The National Police Air Service (NPAS) is a collaborative service providing air support to all police forces in England and Wales. It was established in October 2012 following a national review of air support by the Home Office and is led by West Yorkshire Police[1][3]. Here are key points about NPAS: ## Overview - Jurisdiction: NPAS serves all police forces across England and Wales, offering a borderless service 24 hours a day, seven days a week[2][3]. - Tasks: NPAS assists with searches for missing persons, suspects, vehicle pursuits, public order, counter-terrorism, and firearms incidents[1][3]. - Fleet: The service operates a fleet of 19 helicopters (EC135 and EC145 models) and four fixed-wing aircraft[3][5]. ## Governance - National Strategic Board: Comprises Chief Officers and Police and Crime Commissioners from NPAS regions, a Home Secretary representative, and the National Business Area Lead for Police Aviation[1]. - Independent Assurance Group (IAG): Reviews operational performance at the Assistant Chief Constable level[1]. - West Yorkshire Police: Oversees day-to-day operations with support from the West Yorkshire Mayor[1]. ## Operations - NPAS Operations Centre: Manages requests for air support and operates 24/7[3][5]. - Partnerships: Works closely with the Civil Aviation Authority for safety and with Tracker for vehicle recovery[1][4]. ## Benefits - Speed and Efficiency: Saves time for ground officers by quickly covering large areas[3][5]. - Safety and Deterrence: Provides an aerial overview, enhancing public and officer safety, and acts as a deterrent[3][5].