News story

National Police Air Service launched

The National Police Air Service was launched today by Policing Minister Damian Green alongside the senior police officers who designed it.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

The new service will provide more efficient and accessible air support to the police forces throughout England and Wales.

Only twenty minutes away

Today’s plans are police led and have the support of all Chief Constables. It will provide an air service to 98 per cent of the population of England and Wales within twenty minutes.

Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice, Damian Green said: ‘I am very pleased to welcome the launch of the National Police Air Service. It will create the first national, borderless air service for the police, vastly improving current provisions. This is a great example of police working together to improve services for the public while saving money.
 
‘This new police led, government-supported scheme will keep 98 per cent of people in England and Wales 20 minutes or less from police air support and will save up to £15 million a year.’

Published 1 October 2012