Police aviation in the United Kingdom
Encyclopedia
The most common air support aircraft is the Eurocopter EC 135
Eurocopter EC 135
The Eurocopter EC135 is a twin-engine civil helicopter produced by Eurocopter, widely used amongst police and ambulance services and for executive transport. It is capable of flight under instrument flight rules .-Development:...
T, which is equipped with daytime and night vision video equipment, instrument flight rules
Instrument flight rules
Instrument flight rules are one of two sets of regulations governing all aspects of civil aviation aircraft operations; the other are visual flight rules ....
systems and radio equipment to track suspects and liaise with officers on the ground.
While most aerial units operate helicopters, some forces also use light aircraft such as the Britten-Norman Islander
Britten-Norman Islander
The Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander is a 1960s British light utility aircraft, regional airliner and cargo aircraft designed and originally manufactured by Britten-Norman of the United Kingdom. The Islander is one of the best-selling commercial aircraft types produced in Europe. Although designed in...
. A light aircraft allows higher and quieter surveillance, making it less likely that suspects will become aware they are being watched. A light aircraft also allows for longer flying time and lower running costs.
Operation
With scramble times of just four minutes for helicopters, or with standing patrols using fixed wing aircraft, aerial units are faster than ground units and can often be first on the scene to reported incidents.Aerial units are often tasked to assist in vehicle pursuits. Air support allows ground units to disengage and follow from a discreet distance, hopefully making the pursuit less dangerous while still allowing ground units to be able to close in quickly as directed to apprehend suspects. Aerial surveillance also allows the police to anticipate the direction of the pursuit, and position ground units ahead of the suspect to block roads or deploy spike strip
Spike strip
A spike strip is a device used to impede or stop the movement of wheeled vehicles by puncturing their tires...
s. Aerial units can also be used to efficiently locate missing persons.
Police helicopters can be crewed by three people; a civilian pilot, a police observer and rear police crew member. The pilot and observer sit up-front with eye contact with the ground. The observer is responsible for controlling the camera systems, and recording images for evidence in court. The rear police officer will assist in map-reading and strategic planning, allowing the pilot to concentrate on flying and the observer on camera control and visual reporting.
During an incident, ground and aerial units are able to communicate directly with each other, using the call sign of the unit.
Surveillance
Most police helicopters are fitted with a sphere shaped housing or pod usually under the nose of the aircraft the purpose of which is to support and stabilize two cameras using a gyroscopeGyroscope
A gyroscope is a device for measuring or maintaining orientation, based on the principles of angular momentum. In essence, a mechanical gyroscope is a spinning wheel or disk whose axle is free to take any orientation...
stabilization system. The two cameras are a standard “day camera” (a colour camera equipped with a powerful zoom lens) and a thermal imaging camera, which enables heat to be detected and is usually utilized during hours of darkness or in the search for persons in hiding. The cameras are normally connected to controls located in the cabin of the aircraft that allow the air observer to directly control them. They are also linked to a recording system and downlink system.
Force helicopters are usually equipped with a powerful “Nightsun” search light that is capable of illuminating a large area.
Navigation
A member of the crew, usually a police constable, occupies the rear seat of the helicopter. The primary purpose of this crew member is to relay critical information to police units that are on the ground. In the case of traffic pursuits, this crew member will provide a running commentary of the exact location of the suspect's car, utilising either paper maps or a computerised mapping and navigation system.Communication
Police helicopters are usually fitted with radios capable of transmitting and receiving communications on their force's and other force's Airwave TETRATerrestrial Trunked Radio
Terrestrial Trunked Radio is a professional mobile radio and two-way transceiver specification...
radio system. More recently, police helicopters have been fitted with a device that allows live video images to be transmitted directly to the force command centre by way of a downlink system. Commonly fitted to the underside of the helicopter is a public address system, known as “Skyshout”.
Incidents
- On 24 January 1990, a police sergeant was killed when a police Bell Jet 206 helicopter crashed in bad weather at Eastwood Toll, Giffnock, Glasgow.
- In 2001 Dyfed-Powys Police Agusta A109 crash landed near Cross Hands due to a badly fitted part. The civilian pilot and one of two police officers on board escaped with minor injuries.
- On 17 February 2002 the three man crew of a Strathclyde police helicopter survived a crash in an 18 month old Eurocopter EC-135.
- On 30 April 2009, the Surrey Police helicopter was put out of action by vandals.
- On 8 June 2009, the West Midlands PoliceWest Midlands PoliceWest Midlands Police is the territorial police force responsible for policing the metropolitan county of West Midlands in England.Covering an area with nearly 2.6 million inhabitants, which includes the cities of Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton and also the Black Country; the force is made up...
helicopter (G-WMAO) was destroyed by arsonists, and subsequently written off. A year later, a new EC-135 was handed over to West Midlands Police at the Farnborough Airshow.
- On 10 October 2009 the Merseyside Police helicopter was damaged in an attack by vandals.
- On 28 October 2010 a helicopter on lease to the Police Service of Northern IrelandPolice Service of Northern IrelandThe Police Service of Northern Ireland is the police force that serves Northern Ireland. It is the successor to the Royal Ulster Constabulary which, in turn, was the successor to the Royal Irish Constabulary in Northern Ireland....
(G-SEWP) crashed during take-off on the Shanlieve Mountain. The four officers on board escaped with only minor injuries.
List of police aviation units
The following is a list of police aviation units in the UK and the forces or areas to which they are assigned.| Aviation Unit | Forces served | Radio call-sign | Aircraft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridgeshire Constabulary Air Operations Unit Cambridgeshire Constabulary Cambridgeshire Constabulary is the territorial police force responsible for law enforcement within the ceremonial county of Cambridgeshire in the United Kingdom. In addition to the non-metropolitan county, the Police area includes the city of Peterborough, which became a unitary authority area in... |
Cambridgeshire Constabulary Cambridgeshire Constabulary Cambridgeshire Constabulary is the territorial police force responsible for law enforcement within the ceremonial county of Cambridgeshire in the United Kingdom. In addition to the non-metropolitan county, the Police area includes the city of Peterborough, which became a unitary authority area in... (also operates as night Air Ambulance: See Magpas Magpas Magpas is an Emergency Medical Charity that provides pre-hospital critical care and retrieval in the East of England with its main area of operations being in Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and the neighbouring parts of Norfolk, Suffolk and Bedfordshire... ) |
Quebec Hotel 88 | MD-900 MD Helicopters MD Explorer |-See also:-References:* Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group, 2003. ISBN 0 7106 2537 5.-External links:* *... |
| Central Counties Air Operations Unit Central Counties Air Operations Unit The Central Counties Air Operations Unit is a joint consortium established to provide police aviation for Staffordshire Police and West Mercia Police. It operates a Eurocopter EC135 from Wolverhampton Halfpenny Green Airport in Bobbington, South Staffordshire.... |
Staffordshire Police Staffordshire Police Staffordshire Police is the territorial police force responsible for policing Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent in the West Midlands of England... and West Mercia Constabulary West Mercia Constabulary West Mercia Police, formerly known as West Mercia Constabulary, is the territorial police force responsible for policing the counties of Shropshire , Herefordshire and Worcestershire in England. The force area covers making it the fourth largest police area in England and Wales... |
Air 1 | EC 135 Eurocopter EC 135 The Eurocopter EC135 is a twin-engine civil helicopter produced by Eurocopter, widely used amongst police and ambulance services and for executive transport. It is capable of flight under instrument flight rules .-Development:... |
| Cheshire Constabulary Air Operations Unit | Cheshire Constabulary Cheshire Constabulary Cheshire Constabulary is the territorial police force responsible for policing the English unitary authorities of Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, Halton and Warrington. The force is responsible for policing an area of with a population of roughly 1 million.The Chief Constable of the... |
Delta 66 | EC 135 Eurocopter EC 135 The Eurocopter EC135 is a twin-engine civil helicopter produced by Eurocopter, widely used amongst police and ambulance services and for executive transport. It is capable of flight under instrument flight rules .-Development:... |
| Chiltern Air Support Unit Chiltern Air Support Unit The Chiltern Air Support Unit are a police helicopter unit that operates under a consortium agreement between Bedfordshire Police, Thames Valley Police and Hertfordshire Police.-History:... |
Bedfordshire Police Bedfordshire Police Bedfordshire Police, is the territorial police force responsible for policing the ceremonial county of Bedfordshire in England, which includes the unitary authorities of Bedford, Central Bedfordshire and Luton. Its headquarters are in Kempston. The county had an estimated population of 602,500 in... , Hertfordshire Constabulary Hertfordshire Constabulary Hertfordshire Constabulary is the territorial police force responsible for policing the county of Hertfordshire in England. Its headquarters is situated in Welwyn Garden City... and Thames Valley Police Thames Valley Police Thames Valley Police, formerly known as Thames Valley Constabulary, is the territorial police force responsible for policing the Thames Valley area covered by the ceremonial counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.... |
X-Ray Alpha 97 & X-Ray Alpha 99 | EC 135 Eurocopter EC 135 The Eurocopter EC135 is a twin-engine civil helicopter produced by Eurocopter, widely used amongst police and ambulance services and for executive transport. It is capable of flight under instrument flight rules .-Development:... - |
| Cleveland Air Operations Unit Cleveland Air Operations Unit The Cleveland Air Operations Unit is the air support unit for the Cleveland Police force.- History :The Cleveland Air Operations Unit was formed on 1st April 2009.... |
Cleveland Police Cleveland Police Cleveland Police is the territorial police force responsible for policing the area of former county of Cleveland in north east England. The Cleveland Police area covers approximately and has a population of over 554,000.... |
India 55 | EC 135 Eurocopter EC 135 The Eurocopter EC135 is a twin-engine civil helicopter produced by Eurocopter, widely used amongst police and ambulance services and for executive transport. It is capable of flight under instrument flight rules .-Development:... |
| Devon and Cornwall Air Operations Unit | Devon and Cornwall Police | Oscar 99 | EC 145 |
| Dorset Police Air Operations Unit | Dorset Police Dorset Police Dorset Police is the territorial police force responsible for policing the English county of Dorset in the south-west of England.-History:Dorset County Constabulary was formed in 1855. On 1 October 1967 it merged with Bournemouth Borough Police to form Dorset and Bournemouth Constabulary... |
Oscar 99 | MD-900 MD Helicopters MD Explorer |-See also:-References:* Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group, 2003. ISBN 0 7106 2537 5.-External links:* *... |
| Dyfed Powys Police Helicopter Unit Dyfed-Powys Police Dyfed-Powys Police is the territorial police force responsible for policing Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and the county of Powys, in Wales. The territory it covers is the largest police area in England and Wales, and the fourth largest in the United Kingdom... |
Dyfed-Powys Police Dyfed-Powys Police Dyfed-Powys Police is the territorial police force responsible for policing Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and the county of Powys, in Wales. The territory it covers is the largest police area in England and Wales, and the fourth largest in the United Kingdom... |
X-Ray 99 | A109E Agusta A109 The AgustaWestland AW109 is a light-weight, twin-engine, eight-seat multi-purpose helicopter built by the Anglo-Italian manufacturer AgustaWestland... |
| East Midlands Air Support Unit East Midlands Air Support Unit The East Midlands Air Support Unit is a joint consortium established to provide police aviation for Leicestershire Constabulary, Northamptonshire Police and Warwickshire Police. It was formed in April 1994 and operates a Eurocopter EC135 from Sulby, near Welford in Northamptonshire.-External links:**... |
Leicestershire Constabulary Leicestershire Constabulary Leicestershire Constabulary is the territorial police force responsible for policing Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland in England. Its headquarters are at Enderby, Leicestershire.The current Chief Constable is Simon Cole.-History:... , Northamptonshire Police Northamptonshire Police Northamptonshire Police is the territorial police force responsible for policing Northamptonshire in the East Midlands of England.The force area amounts to and has a resident population of 642,708... and Warwickshire Police Warwickshire Police Warwickshire Police is the territorial police force responsible for policing Warwickshire in England. It was known as Warwickshire Constabulary until 2001. It is the second smallest territorial police force in England and Wales after the City of London Police, with only 998.6 regular officers as... |
X-Ray 55 | EC 135 Eurocopter EC 135 The Eurocopter EC135 is a twin-engine civil helicopter produced by Eurocopter, widely used amongst police and ambulance services and for executive transport. It is capable of flight under instrument flight rules .-Development:... |
| Essex Police Air Support Unit | Essex Police Essex Police Essex Police is a territorial police force responsible for policing the county of Essex in the east of England.It is one of the largest non-metropolitan police forces in the United Kingdom, employing approximately 3,600 police officers and operating across an area of over and with a population of... and Kent Police Kent Police Kent Police is the territorial police force for Kent in England, including the unitary authority of Medway.-Area and organisation:The force covers an area of with an approximate population of 1,660,588 . The Chief Constable is currently Ian Learmonth, who was appointed in 2010 and is the former... |
Quebec Hotel 99 | EC 135 Eurocopter EC 135 The Eurocopter EC135 is a twin-engine civil helicopter produced by Eurocopter, widely used amongst police and ambulance services and for executive transport. It is capable of flight under instrument flight rules .-Development:... - |
| Greater Manchester Police Air Support Unit | Greater Manchester Police Greater Manchester Police Greater Manchester Police is the police force responsible for law enforcement within the metropolitan county of Greater Manchester in North West England... |
India 99 & India 66 | MD-900 MD Helicopters MD Explorer |-See also:-References:* Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group, 2003. ISBN 0 7106 2537 5.-External links:* *... - Islander Britten-Norman Islander The Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander is a 1960s British light utility aircraft, regional airliner and cargo aircraft designed and originally manufactured by Britten-Norman of the United Kingdom. The Islander is one of the best-selling commercial aircraft types produced in Europe. Although designed in... |
| Humberside Police Air Operations Section | Humberside Police Humberside Police Humberside Police is the territorial police force responsible for policing an area covering the East Riding of Yorkshire, the city of Kingston upon Hull, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire... |
Oscar 99 | MD-900 MD Helicopters MD Explorer |-See also:-References:* Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group, 2003. ISBN 0 7106 2537 5.-External links:* *... |
| Lancashire Constabulary Air Support Unit | Lancashire Constabulary Lancashire Constabulary Lancashire Constabulary is the territorial police force responsible for policing the ceremonial county of Lancashire in the North West England. The force's headquarters are at Hutton, near the city of Preston... |
Oscar November 99 | EC 135 Eurocopter EC 135 The Eurocopter EC135 is a twin-engine civil helicopter produced by Eurocopter, widely used amongst police and ambulance services and for executive transport. It is capable of flight under instrument flight rules .-Development:... |
| Merseyside Police Air Support Group | Merseyside Police Merseyside Police Merseyside Police is the territorial police force responsible for policing Merseyside in North West England. The force area is 647 square kilometres with a population of around 1.5 million... |
X-Ray Mike 11(Mike 1) | EC 135 Eurocopter EC 135 The Eurocopter EC135 is a twin-engine civil helicopter produced by Eurocopter, widely used amongst police and ambulance services and for executive transport. It is capable of flight under instrument flight rules .-Development:... - |
| Metropolitan Police Air Support Unit Metropolitan Police Air Support Unit The Air Support Unit is a Central Operations branch of London's Metropolitan Police Service. The main responsibility of the unit is to provide aerial reconnaissance and other air support operations... |
Metropolitan Police District Metropolitan Police District The Metropolitan Police District is the police area which is policed by London's Metropolitan Police Service. It currently consists of Greater London, excluding the City of London.-History:... |
India 99, India 98 & India 97 | EC 145 |
| Norfolk Constabulary Air Operations Unit Norfolk Constabulary Norfolk Constabulary is the territorial police force responsible for the county of Norfolk in England. As of March 2009 the force had a strength of 1,668 police officers, 243 Special Constables, 277 PCSOs and just over 1,300 police staff.-History:... |
Norfolk Constabulary Norfolk Constabulary Norfolk Constabulary is the territorial police force responsible for the county of Norfolk in England. As of March 2009 the force had a strength of 1,668 police officers, 243 Special Constables, 277 PCSOs and just over 1,300 police staff.-History:... |
Oscar India 99 | AS355 Eurocopter AS355 The Eurocopter AS355 Ecureuil 2 is a twin-engine light helicopter originally manufactured by Aérospatiale... |
| North East Air Support Unit North East Air Support Unit The North East Air Support Unit is the main aerial support for police forces in north east England.- History :The North East Air Support Unit was formed in 1995 by joint venture of Cleveland, Durham and Northumbria police forces... |
Durham Constabulary Durham Constabulary Durham Constabulary is the territorial police force responsible for policing the non-metropolitan county of County Durham and the unitary authority of Darlington. The force covers the 2,232 km² of the county which has a resident population of 595,308. It is one of the smaller forces of the... and Northumbria Police Northumbria Police Northumbria Police is the territorial police force responsible for policing the areas of Northumberland and Tyne and Wear in North East England. The service is the sixth largest police force in England and Wales. The current Chief Constable is Sue Sim who was appointed by Northumbria Police... |
India 99 | EC 135 Eurocopter EC 135 The Eurocopter EC135 is a twin-engine civil helicopter produced by Eurocopter, widely used amongst police and ambulance services and for executive transport. It is capable of flight under instrument flight rules .-Development:... - |
| North Midlands Helicopter Support Unit North Midlands Helicopter Support Unit The North Midlands Helicopter Support Unit is a joint consortium established in 1998 to provide police aviation for Derbyshire Constabulary and Nottinghamshire Police. It is managed by John Jameson and operates a Eurocopter EC135 from Derbyshire Constabulary's headquarters in Ripley,... |
Derbyshire Constabulary Derbyshire Constabulary Derbyshire Constabulary is the territorial police force responsible for policing the county of Derbyshire, England. The force covers an area of over with a population of just under one million.-Organisation and structure:... and Nottinghamshire Constabulary |
Oscar Hotel 88 | EC 135 Eurocopter EC 135 The Eurocopter EC135 is a twin-engine civil helicopter produced by Eurocopter, widely used amongst police and ambulance services and for executive transport. It is capable of flight under instrument flight rules .-Development:... |
| North Wales Police Air Operations Unit North Wales Police North Wales Police is the territorial police force responsible for policing North Wales. The headquarters are in Colwyn Bay, with divisional headquarters in St Asaph, Caernarfon and Wrexham.... |
North Wales Police North Wales Police North Wales Police is the territorial police force responsible for policing North Wales. The headquarters are in Colwyn Bay, with divisional headquarters in St Asaph, Caernarfon and Wrexham.... |
November Whiskey 01 | EC 135 Eurocopter EC 135 The Eurocopter EC135 is a twin-engine civil helicopter produced by Eurocopter, widely used amongst police and ambulance services and for executive transport. It is capable of flight under instrument flight rules .-Development:... |
| Police Service of Northern Ireland Air Support Unit Police Service of Northern Ireland The Police Service of Northern Ireland is the police force that serves Northern Ireland. It is the successor to the Royal Ulster Constabulary which, in turn, was the successor to the Royal Irish Constabulary in Northern Ireland.... |
Police Service of Northern Ireland Police Service of Northern Ireland The Police Service of Northern Ireland is the police force that serves Northern Ireland. It is the successor to the Royal Ulster Constabulary which, in turn, was the successor to the Royal Irish Constabulary in Northern Ireland.... |
Police 41 , Police 42 , Police 43 , Scout 1 | EC 135 Eurocopter EC 135 The Eurocopter EC135 is a twin-engine civil helicopter produced by Eurocopter, widely used amongst police and ambulance services and for executive transport. It is capable of flight under instrument flight rules .-Development:... - EC145 - ECBK117 Islander Britten-Norman Islander The Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander is a 1960s British light utility aircraft, regional airliner and cargo aircraft designed and originally manufactured by Britten-Norman of the United Kingdom. The Islander is one of the best-selling commercial aircraft types produced in Europe. Although designed in... |
| South East Air Support Unit South East Air Support Unit The South East Air Support Unit is a joint consortium established to provide police aviation for Sussex Police, Surrey Police and Hampshire Constabulary. It was formed in October 2010 and gained a single Police Air Operator's Certificate on 1 April 2011. It is managed by Inspector Steve Cheeseman,... |
Sussex Police Sussex Police Sussex Police is the territorial police force responsible for policing East Sussex, West Sussex and City of Brighton and Hove in southern England. Its head office is in Lewes, Lewes District, East Sussex.-History:... , Surrey Police Surrey Police Surrey Police is the territorial police force responsible for policing the county of Surrey in the south of England.The force is led by Chief Constable Mark Rowley and has its headquarters at Mount Browne, Guildford, Surrey... and Hampshire Constabulary Hampshire Constabulary Hampshire Constabulary is the territorial police force responsible for policing Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in southern England.The force area includes the cities of Winchester, Southampton and Portsmouth... |
Oscar Sierra 99 and Hotel 900 | EC 135 Eurocopter EC 135 The Eurocopter EC135 is a twin-engine civil helicopter produced by Eurocopter, widely used amongst police and ambulance services and for executive transport. It is capable of flight under instrument flight rules .-Development:... |
| South and East Wales Air Support Unit South and East Wales Air Support Unit The South and East Wales Air Support Unit is a joint consortium established to provide police aviation for South Wales Police and Gwent Police. It is managed by Inspector Gary Smart and operates a Eurocopter EC135 from MOD St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan.... |
South Wales Police South Wales Police South Wales Police is one of the four territorial police forces in Wales. Its headquarters are based in Bridgend.Covering Wales' capital city, Cardiff, as well as Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil, Swansea, and the western South Wales Valleys, it is the largest police force in Wales in terms of population,... and Gwent Police Gwent Police Gwent Police is the territorial police force responsible for policing the local authority areas of Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport and Torfaen in southeast Wales.... |
Whisky Oscar 99 | EC 135 Eurocopter EC 135 The Eurocopter EC135 is a twin-engine civil helicopter produced by Eurocopter, widely used amongst police and ambulance services and for executive transport. It is capable of flight under instrument flight rules .-Development:... |
| South Yorkshire Police Air Support Unit South Yorkshire Police South Yorkshire Police is the territorial police force responsible for policing South Yorkshire in England.The police force covers an area of approximately 1,554 square kilometres which is made up of the county's three boroughs , along with the City of Sheffield. The resident population is 1.2... |
South Yorkshire Police South Yorkshire Police South Yorkshire Police is the territorial police force responsible for policing South Yorkshire in England.The police force covers an area of approximately 1,554 square kilometres which is made up of the county's three boroughs , along with the City of Sheffield. The resident population is 1.2... |
Sierra Yankee 99 | MD-900 MD Helicopters MD Explorer |-See also:-References:* Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group, 2003. ISBN 0 7106 2537 5.-External links:* *... |
| Strathclyde Police Air Support Unit | Strathclyde Police Strathclyde Police Strathclyde Police is the territorial police force responsible for the Scottish council areas of Argyll and Bute, City of Glasgow, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire and West... |
Victor Mike 70 | EC 135 Eurocopter EC 135 The Eurocopter EC135 is a twin-engine civil helicopter produced by Eurocopter, widely used amongst police and ambulance services and for executive transport. It is capable of flight under instrument flight rules .-Development:... - |
| Suffolk Constabulary Air Operations Unit Suffolk Constabulary Suffolk Constabulary is the territorial police force responsible for policing Suffolk in East Anglia, England.Suffolk Constabulary is responsible for policing an area of , with a population of... |
Suffolk Constabulary Suffolk Constabulary Suffolk Constabulary is the territorial police force responsible for policing Suffolk in East Anglia, England.Suffolk Constabulary is responsible for policing an area of , with a population of... |
Alpha 99 | EC 135 Eurocopter EC 135 The Eurocopter EC135 is a twin-engine civil helicopter produced by Eurocopter, widely used amongst police and ambulance services and for executive transport. It is capable of flight under instrument flight rules .-Development:... |
| West Midlands Police Air Operations Unit West Midlands Police West Midlands Police is the territorial police force responsible for policing the metropolitan county of West Midlands in England.Covering an area with nearly 2.6 million inhabitants, which includes the cities of Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton and also the Black Country; the force is made up... |
West Midlands Police West Midlands Police West Midlands Police is the territorial police force responsible for policing the metropolitan county of West Midlands in England.Covering an area with nearly 2.6 million inhabitants, which includes the cities of Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton and also the Black Country; the force is made up... |
Alpha Oscar 1 [G-POLA] | EC 135 Eurocopter EC 135 The Eurocopter EC135 is a twin-engine civil helicopter produced by Eurocopter, widely used amongst police and ambulance services and for executive transport. It is capable of flight under instrument flight rules .-Development:... |
| West Yorkshire Police Air Operations Unit West Yorkshire Police West Yorkshire Police is the territorial police force responsible for policing West Yorkshire in England. It is the fourth largest force in England and Wales by number of officers, with 5671 officers.... |
West Yorkshire Police West Yorkshire Police West Yorkshire Police is the territorial police force responsible for policing West Yorkshire in England. It is the fourth largest force in England and Wales by number of officers, with 5671 officers.... |
X-Ray 99 | MD-902 MD Helicopters MD Explorer |-See also:-References:* Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group, 2003. ISBN 0 7106 2537 5.-External links:* *... |
| Western Counties Air Operations Unit Western Counties Air Operations Unit The Western Counties Air Operations Unit is a joint consortium established to provide police aviation for Avon and Somerset Constabulary and Gloucestershire Constabulary. It was formed in August 1995, and operates a Eurocopter EC135 from Bristol Filton Airport.... |
Avon & Somerset Avon and Somerset Constabulary Avon & Somerset Constabulary is the territorial police force in England responsible for policing the non-metropolitan county of Somerset, the city & county of Bristol and the unitary authorities of South Gloucestershire, North Somerset and Bath and North East Somerset; before 1996 these districts... and Gloucestershire Gloucestershire Constabulary Gloucestershire Constabulary is the territorial police force responsible for policing the non-metropolitan county of Gloucestershire in England... |
Quebec 99 | EC 135 Eurocopter EC 135 The Eurocopter EC135 is a twin-engine civil helicopter produced by Eurocopter, widely used amongst police and ambulance services and for executive transport. It is capable of flight under instrument flight rules .-Development:... |
| Wiltshire Police Air Operations Unit | Wiltshire Police – jointly operated with Wiltshire Air Ambulance Wiltshire Air Ambulance The Wiltshire Air Ambulance or Wiltshire Police Helicopter, is an air ambulance and police helicopter which responds to seriously ill or injured casualties and police incidents across Wiltshire... (night & day Air Ambulance) |
Whisky Hotel 99 | MD-902 MD Helicopters MD Explorer |-See also:-References:* Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group, 2003. ISBN 0 7106 2537 5.-External links:* *... |
The following forces have no full-time police aviation cover, although most will hire in aircraft when required.
- Cumbria ConstabularyCumbria ConstabularyCumbria Constabulary is the territorial police force in England covering Cumbria. It is currently the fifth-largest force in England and Wales in terms of geographic area but one of the smallest in terms of officer numbers. Given the force area's size and population of just under 500,000, it is...
- Central Scotland PoliceCentral Scotland PoliceCentral Scotland Police is the territorial police force responsible for the Scottish council areas of Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire . The headquarters of the force are at Randolphfield House in Stirling....
- Dumfries and Galloway ConstabularyDumfries and Galloway ConstabularyDumfries and Galloway Constabulary is the territorial police force responsible for the council area of Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland.The police force was formed in 1948 as an amalgamation of the police forces of Dumfriesshire, Kirkcudbrightshire, and Wigtownshire, and preceded the creation of...
- Fife ConstabularyFife ConstabularyFife Constabulary is the territorial police force responsible for the Scottish council area of Fife.The area policed by Fife Constabulary has a resident population of just over 350,000, almost a third of whom live in one of the three principal towns of Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy and Glenrothes...
- Grampian PoliceGrampian PoliceGrampian Police is the territorial police force of the northeast region of Scotland, covering the council areas of Aberdeenshire, the City of Aberdeen, and Moray . The Force area also covers some of the North Sea, giving Grampian Police the responsibility of policing the oil and gas platforms of...
- Lothian and Borders PoliceLothian and Borders PoliceLothian and Borders Police is the territorial police force for the Scottish council areas of the City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian, Scottish Borders and West Lothian...
- Lincolnshire PoliceLincolnshire PoliceLincolnshire Police is the territorial police force covering the non-metropolitan county of Lincolnshire in the East Midlands of England. Despite the name, the force's area does not include North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire, which are covered by Humberside Police instead.In terms of...
- North Yorkshire PoliceNorth Yorkshire PoliceNorth Yorkshire Police is the territorial police force covering the non-metropolitan county of North Yorkshire and the unitary authority of York in northern England. The force covers England's largest county and comprises three area command units...
- Northern ConstabularyNorthern ConstabularyThe Northern Constabulary is the territorial police force responsible for Northern Scotland, covering the Highland council area along with the Western Isles, the Orkney Isles and the Shetland Isles, which comprise most of the Highlands and Islands area...
- Tayside PoliceTayside PoliceTayside Police is the territorial police force covering the Scottish council areas of Angus, City of Dundee and Perth and Kinross . The total area covered by the force is with a population of 388,000....
External links
- UK Emergency Aviation Police Helicopter Information & Gallery