Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has had discussions with police forces on aerial service needs.

The National Police Air Service (NPAS) is a police-led collaboration governed by the NPAS National Strategic Board (NSB), which is made up of Chief Constables and PCCs representing each policing region. The NSB sets the direction for the National Police Air Service and reviews its effectiveness on behalf of the other police bodies of England and Wales.

Representatives from West Yorkshire Police, West Yorkshire Combined Authority and the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) recently met with the Minister for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention to discuss policing’s air service requirements, including both crewed and uncrewed aircraft.

The Home Secretary has regular discussions with both Chief Constables and Police and Crime Commissioners, which cover a wide variety of subject areas.