National Police Air Service

[Satoshi Nakamoto]

What is going on with the National Police Air Service, they have been observed orbiting several locations for upto two hours at a time.

[Double Hydco]

Isn't that what they're supposed to be doing, supporting units on the ground??

[treadigraph]

Exactly what they do. I wonder what they would be there for if they weren't doing that. My local Air Support Unit has being doing some sterling work round here recently

[ATNotts]

What is going on with the National Police Air Service, they have been observed orbiting several locations for upto two hours at a time.

One of their P.68s was stooging around various points in the East Midlands on Saturday for well in excess of two hours. Locations included central Nottingham, Long Eaton (between Nottingham and Derby), Chesterfield and a rural area between Sheffield and Rotherham.

It looks very much as though they were tracking (some might suggest spying on) people enjoying the excellent weather on Saturday, and in all probability directing the police on the ground towards areas where people were perceived to be breaking the lockdown regulations. It is difficult to see what else might link the areas that were under surveillance; it isn't, for example, as though the aircraft was tracking someone making a break for it (for whatever reason) down the M1.

If the police are using the aircraft for such surveillance of mostly innocent people you have to ask if such behaviour is really acceptable in our society; after all, how long can it be before they are looking into peoples gardens, on the pretext of covid-19 restrictions?

[Trinity 09L]

Why not submit a FOI and see what reply you get. The rest is speculation.😳

[Jetstream2008]

Are they getting rid of them?

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/police-paid-10m-for-four-useless-planes-lzls7whkf

[jimtherev]

I've heard of several forces using drones quite a bit. Right down to response team level. A lot cheaper than a helicopter and instantly available if a skilled officer on duty.