National Police Air Service
24/7 air support to police forces across England and Wales
In an emergency: call 999 — police will request NPAS if air support is needed. Do not contact NPAS directly.
NPAS provides 24/7, 365‑day aerial support to territorial police forces and specialist units. Crewed aircraft — helicopters and fixed‑wing — and specialist sensors give police commanders rapid situational awareness, search capability and tactical support for missing‑person searches, pursuits, major incidents and evidence gathering. NPAS is coordinated from a national operations centre and is tasked by police control rooms.
Key Facts
Coverage
NPAS supports all police forces in England and Wales.
Fleet & Bases
A mixed fleet of helicopters and fixed‑wing aircraft from a national network of bases; fixed‑wing aircraft extend endurance and range for long searches.
Availability
On call 24/7 — tasks are prioritised by the level of risk to people or communities.
Typical Roles
High‑risk missing‑person searches, suspect location and pursuit support, major incident overview, evidence gathering and rapid transport.
What NPAS Does
Rapid aerial search and rescue support for police operations.
Real‑time intelligence and video downlinks to control rooms and officers on scene.
Thermal imaging and specialist sensors to locate people or evidence in difficult terrain or at night.
Flexible deployment — aircraft can relocate or operate from forward sites to meet demand.
NPAS Aircraft on the Map
You can explore NPAS aircraft base locations and live aircraft activity on our interactive map. This is an overview only and should not be used for operational or emergency purposes.
How the Public Should Act
In an emergency
Call 999 and request the appropriate service. Police will request NPAS if air support is needed — do not attempt to contact NPAS directly for an immediate response.
Do not shine lasers at aircraft
This endangers crews and is a criminal offence. Recent incidents have led to arrests and prosecution.
Find Out More
Visit the official NPAS website for general enquiries, media contacts, latest news and information about bases and aircraft.
Visit NPAS Website⚠️ UKSAR Portal is an informational website only. To report an emergency, always dial 999 and ask for the appropriate service.
⚠️ UKSAR Portal is an informational website only. To report an emergency, always dial 999 and ask for the appropriate service.