I would like to make a point on your ‘where the idea came from, which is invariably overlooked in the effort to heap scorn on NPAS and W Yorks. (and this is not an attempt to defend either organisation). The idea for a single, national service came from a group of UEO’s who regularly attended the ACPO air support committee in lieu of their respective force or consortium ACPO officers, (who should have attended, but saw no career advantage in doing so, as it was too niche).
They were told to find a cheaper way of doing things ( and if I recall correctly, were seriously advised NOT to look at a national structure, as it would be too difficult to implement).
In spite of that they felt (and therefore recommended), that if they could make ‘X’ savings by regionalising, then they could ‘obviously’ make greater savings by nationalising! So we perhaps need to look a little closer to home. ‘We’ did this to ourselves.