The National Police Air Service is tasked by police forces across England & Wales. Account covers NPAS Central Region. Call 999 Emergency / 101 Non-Emergency
Last night we assisted
@wmpolice
with a vehicle stop in
@walsallpolice
Whilst doing so we were targeted with a laser pointer, fortunately
@responseWMP
were nearby and the offender was detained in the act. Offenders can be pin pointed in seconds and can be jailed for 5 years ^JH
Everyone's pulled out all the stops today to provide continuous rotary cover over disorder throughout the country. Particular thanks goes to our dispatch centre whose organisational skills juggling aircraft around England & Wales has been second to none. ^RE
Passing Leicester in transit from Derby tonight overheard multiple
@leicspolice
cops being dispatched to missing man with dementia. Swung camera onto area and immediately located disorientated and distressed man in nearby garden. Right place. Right time. He's now safe. ^RE
Practicing hover deplane and emplane. Because we don't have a winch like
@HMCoastguard
we practice this so we can provide first aid to people on hostile terrain where we can't safely land the aircraft. ^RE
We've recently heard that a person who shone a laser pen at NPAS54 over Rubery in Nov 17 has received a 9 months prison sentence. Thanks
@WMPolice
for your help dealing.
Yes, we are noisy we know that and we try to be neighbourly. But I go home to my family with my head held high knowing there's people walking this planet right now, right as I type, who would be dead if we'd not woken you up. They are and will always be our priority. ^RE
"You've called a life and death emergency line to say a helicopter has woken you up."
This call to 999 was about the noise being generated by a police helicopter. They were searching for a missing women who was later found with serious injuries to her arms.
#ThinkBeforeYouDial
We are sad to see our air ambulance colleagues suffer this well organised and sustained attack on their aircraft whilst they were simply trying to help 😂
They were well organised, as one group distracted me, the rest closed in behind to lick and chew anything in reach. Thanks to the farmer for enticing them away with food.
Coventry based Force Response, Neighbourhood, West Midlands Fire and a special appearance by NPAS in a blue-light salute to the people who care for us at UHCW. 👏🏻
You may be thinking today's pilot is a bit of a perfectionist or suffers with OCD? Either way that's a great bit of parking! Did you know that in an emergency the helicopter can technically land anywhere? ^PH
Whilst transiting back from assisting our
@WMerciaPolice
colleagues today, we spotted this absolute masterpiece! Fabulous display by
@MalvernRugby
; feeling privileged to see it from this angle 👍 ^LC
Last night we found an elderly man with dementia collapsed deep in brambles. Impossible to see from the ground and already checked by a drone the powerful
@flir
IR sensors picked up very faint returns from his leg in the undergrowth. Let's see what we can do today. ^RE
I think the person who ran off from the crash that caused this may owe some apologies to those caught in the tailback. We found them though. Hiding in a bush doesn't fool our infrared camera!
2 minutes after lifting to reports of a drone near
@bhx_official
sus vehicles located. Officers talked in and drone located. Persons now assisting police with investigation. 👍🚁
We may be professional aviators who are highly trained and take the task at hand very seriously but we're also humans. We still play first person to see the sea wins. ^RE
One of those satisfying jobs where you just know you've saved a life tonight. Lengthy rural search for a 90yr old dementia sufferer who'd fallen at least 10ft down a drainage ditch and was completely out of sight of those walking past him searching. ^RE
Aircraft has had a drink (Jet A1), crew have had a drink (Tea). I think that makes us all ready to go. We're here until 7am for whatever the night might throw our way. ^RE
Certainly not the most comfortable of nights. Our heading and track are significantly different and it's like flying over speed bumps!
#StormJocelyn
^RE
A rather impressive visitor into Husbands Bosworth. This
@ArmyAirCorps
Apache passing through whilst training shows we don't just work closely with the
@RoyalAirForce
but the
@BritishArmy
too. ^RE
I may be nearly 40 years old but my mum still rings me all excited when a pursuit I did with
@DerbyshireRPU
is on
@C5TrafficCops
. I just cringe at the sound of my own voice but to them I'm a celebrity😂(C5 +1 at 9pm by the way). ^RE
Forces have strict deployment criteria and we are held to account by forces for flight time, right down to the minute. We don't patrol for fun & the jobs we go to are the very serious ones, often the ones where people are going to die. We are very privileged to be able to help.
The vast majority of our deployments especially at night involve an immediate risk to life, usually a high risk missing person in need of urgent help.
We make no apology for prioritising human life over disturbing people and will work tirelessly to keep people safe 👍 ^GMO
Overhead Derby this morning we suffered a prolonged laser strike which led to two of the aircraft crew being hit in the eyes. Our sensors can pinpoint the location almost immediately.
@DerbysPolice
attended the address straight away and we are grateful for their response. 'RE
Whilst on our way back from a job we observed a biker riding at speed along footpaths. Followed bike which was stolen. After long pursuit biker now in custody and bike recovered with help from
@Trafficwmp
#alwayslookingoutofourwindows
Nala was an outstanding & talented dog, we had numerous results working closely as a team with her, sometimes no doubt saving peoples lives. We are very sad to hear of her passing. Sleep tight girl. ^RE
It is with great sadness that we have to announce the passing of retired PD Nala. Very sadly, due to ill health, Nala had to be put to sleep on Monday. She will be very sadly missed by all who knew her and our thoughts are with her handler Sean and his family 💔🌈
After locating a vulnerable person yesterday we talked a
@WMerciaPolice
officer to them who established they had serious injuries. One quick field landing later, our trauma med bag in hand, we were able to help them deal in what was a very rural location. ^RE
Good teamwork this evening to locate a vulnerable missing child who had run off into a large wooded area with no coat or shoes in subzero temps. PD Bryn picked up a track &
@NPASMidlands
spotted a heat source ahead. Bryn tracked to the child & other officers took her to hospital.
Both bases in the central region have been tasked tonight with keeping the skies clear for an important aircraft. We managed to snap a quick photo last year and hope to see him again later. ^RE
Alongside
@LeicsPoliceRPU
it was an honour to welcome young Taylor to Husbands Bosworth today. After a tough start to life, in his words, he's kicked Meningitis’s butt! ^RE
What started as a lift from base to complete a training flight, ended with assisting
@WMPolice
with a vehicle failing to stop for officers. The driver abandoned the vehicle and was followed by the crew and detained a short while later by colleagues on the ground.👍🚓🚁^SH
We've been out above the West Midlands area this afternoon and its eerily quiet in Birmingham City Centre as people are adhering to the Govt's advice to
#StayHome
#StaySafe
We also managed to assist
@WMPolice
with a couple of jobs and our new pilot was suitably impressed!
After a couple of weeks away SUFK is freshly back from the paint shop sporting a shiny new coat. It might be 13 years old but it's looking as good as new! ^RE
It's just white as far as the eye can see out there today. We've just got back from assisting
@NorthantsARV
with a task in various areas of the county and snapped a quick shot on the way home. ^RE
I have been honoured to serve you for my whole adult life but this pales in significance when compared to the service you have dedicated to us. Rest in peace Your Majesty. ^RE
The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.
The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.
The photo doesn't really do justice as to how good these things are but it's rather fiddly to hold a camera as well! A unique view of Comet Neowise as seen through a set of Fenn NG700+ night vision goggles. ^RE
We needed fuel earlier so landed at
@bhx_official
as the Birmingham crew departed to a job in the city. We didn't raid your snack and stationary cupboards. Honest. ^RE
Good evening from the fixed wing crew
@EMAirport
This is the crew responding to a call for service earlier. Typically engine start to wheels up 🛫 on fast pace tasking is around 4 minutes ^KF
It might have been the weekly helicopter wash yesterday but we can't match the shininess of the new
@NorthantsPolice
ANPR fitted Octavia vRS fleet. Criminals travel to commit crime and we hope to work with them closely to get them where they belong. In the cells. ^RE
Over 5 hours in the air for the Hus Bos crew overnight. 3 prolific burglars in custody, massive country parks cleared for mispers & downlink provided for firearms arrests. Excellent teamwork & coordination with
@leicspolice
dogs and
@nottspolice
drone teams too. Now.. Bed! ^RE
Apologies for the noise in the
#Yardley
area of Birmingham, very early doors, on this Friday
#BankHoliday
but it was worth it, as 2 burglary suspects were detained, in a shed, after an amazing track by
@WMPDogs
#GreatJob
#Team999
👍🐶🚁
Busy shift for the night crew assisting
@WMPolice
,
@CMPG
and
@StaffsPolice
across the West Midlands. A total of 2 vehicles recovered, 4 suspects in custody and a missing person located. Great Teamwork from everyone involved🚓🚓🚁^SH
Both aircraft in the region are ready to go for the night and awaiting calls from those who need us, including our SUFK here straddling the
@leicspolice
@NorthantsPolice
border ^RE
After long transits we regularly refuel at air ambulance bases and so it's good to return the favour.
@Helimed53
of
@WNDLRAirAmb
visits Husbands Bosworth for a tank top up. Welcome any time guys. ^RE
A few from the archives today. Most now fly different aircraft but it was probably the only time in history these emergency service helicopters have been in the same place at the same time. If something big happens, we're prepared. ^RE
Our pilots get assessed almost constantly. They're some of the most experienced and skilled in the country and have thousands of hours of military, air ambulance or civilian experience. Parking straight isn't one of those tests but, of course, we crew always point it out! ^RE
Sometimes we have to land when a person is unreachable from the ground. Today's escapades resulted in very muddy boots but an alive and safe member of the public. Worth the trade. ^RE
We were absolutely flat out keeping up with this. Thankfully we don't have to worry about corners, we just pointed the nose at Milton Keynes and let the camera do the hard work! ^RE
Our aircraft carries first aid and basic medical equipment as well as a stretcher to carry casualties to hospital. Last night we found a person using our thermal camera and
@NorthantsPolice
desperately needed a defibrillator. We were able to land in a nearby field to help. ^RE
The power of our cooled, thermal imaging Flir camera, penetrating through a trampoline.
We found these two hiding whilst helping
@leicspolice
search for someone else in an unrelated matter. Officers spoke to them, and they were arrested after secreting items where they were.
It's back in the hangar for the final time as I go on a few weeks leave (I would say holiday but you should see the list of jobs in the house I've been given!) There may be a few less posts on here but rest assured, my colleagues are there if you need them. ^RE
Whilst conducting some open door procedure and still photography training, one of our TFO's took the opportunity to take this picture of BHX looking down R/W 33. ^ES
@bhx_official
@BHX_Police
Please join me in wishing PD Carter a long and happy retirement. Carter has just finished his final shift and is heading home with his handler. A fine police dog who achieved great results on the streets. Thank you for your service 👏
A night time view of the city as we assisted
@leicspolice
with the successful recovery of stolen vehicle which had been involved in a number of crimes across several counties. ^RE
A very sad day for us at Husbands Bosworth today. Our longest serving & most important member of staff, our brilliant cleaner Elaine, retires after nearly 30 years. The place will never be the same again! Enjoy your well earned retirement. ^RE
Today at NPAS Birmingham we welcomed a tv production crew filming for a documentary featuring
@WMerciaPolice
colleagues. It’s a good medium to demonstrate our capabilities and what we collectively achieve ^KF
Earlier today we landed at
@leicspolice
HQ to pick up a specialist police search advisor for an ongoing incident. We could give them a unique perspective of an ever changing area to help them plan their search.
It's the last operational shift for our Senior Pilot today after a long career in
@BritishArmy
and Police aviation. It's been an honour. There's not a person at this base who hasn't learned from his vast and varied experiences. Enjoy retirement, you'll be missed. ^RE
100% success rate for the Husbands Bosworth crew tonight on our flights. 1 missing person, 1 knife (yes we even found that!), 2 burglars & 2 stolen cars in jobs for
@warkspolice
,
@leicspolice
&
@nottspolice
. One happy crew. ^RE
Sometimes you have to just look at the view from the office window to realise what a privileged position you're in! Night crew now on duty and here until 7am. ^RE
G-TVHB, at the time based at
@RAFBenson
with
@NPASSouthEast
, seen over the bosses house as we assisted
@metpoliceuk
with some tasks a couple of years ago. Not a sight us in the counties get to see every day! ^RE
Our new pilot is almost ready for his final check to become fully operational tomorrow. We've got two more training sorties today with one already successfully completed near Market Harborough. Give us a wave if you see us out and about. Can't say where though, he might see! ^RE
What this guy didn't know was that we'd picked him up on the infrared camera from nearly 4 miles away. Long before he could see or hear us. From that point his fate in the handcuffs of
@DerbyshireRPU
was sealed. Middle finger or not! ^RE
A38 Ripley. Single vehicle collision, car down the embankment. All emergency services deployed to find the car empty. Serious concern for the welfare of the driver so
@NPASMidlands
attends who find him - gives them the middle finger. Drunk, arrested.
#DontDrinkAndDrive
Tasked by
@LincsPolice
to attend Spalding to search for a vehicle. The vehicle had left the area but whilst there we overheard reports of a domestic assault and, being nearby, located a subject running away as it happened. Right place right time. ^RE
@ThamesVP
officers had been searching for an elderly man with dementia tonight. We were called to assist from our base in Leicestershire and found them stuck in woodland using our
@flir
IR sensors 57 seconds after arriving on scene! Really make us proud to do what we do.
Last night we assisted
@NorthantsPolice
with a pursuit after a car had been recently stolen. Great work by the ARV's with bringing it to a safe conclusion after some very dangerous driving by the occupant. ^NO
Chief Inspector Jim Corbett: “To mitigate risk to the public & also offenders, we use a range of tactics including tactical contact. There has been a significant reduction in motorcycle & scooter crime with a decrease of 10,974 offences to date this year in comparison to 2017”
Exciting news from the project team today. Certification approved to carry air deployable drones to the scenes of incidents. No more issues with traffic and getting stuck on the way to a job. We can now fly them straight to the scene and deploy mid flight. Impressive stuff!
Desperately sad news coming from my home force this evening. Our deepest condolences go to Graham's family, friends and my
@nottspolice
colleagues who I know are hurting right now. Rest in peace Sgt. We'll not forget you. ^RE
Announcement | Death of Sergeant Graham Saville
It is with great sadness that Nottinghamshire Police confirms the death of a serving officer in the line of duty.