In reference to NPAS's 20/30 minute circles, looking at the map on ranty's link, I think it shows that the UK has in fact some pretty good air cover.
In the south and the Midlands, coverage per sq mile yes. Definitely not in Scotland. Wales ? Northumberland?
Mmm, considering the air base in Northumberland hasn't moved, the cover for that county is as it was before NPAS, which must have been sufficient otherwise something would have been done about it previous to NPAS coming along. You're happy with the cover for Cumbria, Norfolk, Cornwall etc? Funny way of looking at this coverage issue by just using Northumberland as an area of England to make your point.
Lol, since when did Scotland come under NPAS
Besides, if they want more air cover than they have moment, they could probably get it. Then again it must be sufficient as far as Police Scotland is concerned because otherwise they would be doing something about it.
I'll agree about Wales, however looking at population distribution it is certainly a hot talking point. Do you not think though that with HusBos and HG going soon, that the Midlands is going to be a left a bit thin?
56 helicopters to cover (France) 640,679 kmē
against
19 helicopters to cover (Eng) 130,395 kmē + (Wales) 20,761 kmē = 151,156 kmē
France - 11,440 kmē per helicopter
NPAS - 7,955 kmē per helicopter
Just to clear it up, are the French army pilots seconded to the Gendarmerie and trained to be the equivalent of specials?
It's either nowt or summat - en Yorkshire