When I ( was compulsorily ) retired from a very efficient Air Support Unit, shortly before my Unit joined NPAS, I predicted, and mentioned on pPrune somewhere, that NPAS would not achieve its initial Sales Pitch objectives to provide a more efficient service at a reduced cost, and that in years to come, a dynamic thinking Chief Constable and / or PCC would turn full circle and decide that their Force was not receiving an adequate ( Fit for Purpose ) service, would leave NPAS and buy their own Aircraft, run by their own staff and Police Officers.
I now wish I had put a few quid on that prediction with Ladbrokes !
Coconutty