Drones could replace helicopters in a remodelling of the National Police Air Service

Plans are being drawn up to change the size of the police air fleet while making it a joint emergency services response.

Chief Constable Simon Byrne told the joint Association of Police and Crime Commissioners/National Police Chiefs’ Council conference on Thursday (November 17), that an alternative to the current model can work if emergency services act in a collaborative manner.

A joint blue light provision could see the Fire Service, which does not have air support at present, using police resources to move equipment across the country and better respond to major emergencies.

Mr Byrne also believes that air ambulances are less likely to ever share fleets but could combine bases to reduce overheads and maintenance costs.

He said the National Police Air Service, comprising more than just traditional aircraft, could have a wider remit, including deployment with the Border Force, military and other blue light services.

The proposals being drawn up by Mr Byrne also include a much wider use of drones. He believes a change in legislation could lead to unmanned aerial technology being deployed remotely by control rooms in a range of scenarios, including missing people, disasters and border control.

Mr Byrne believes the future will involve fewer larger helicopters replacing the current fleet – subject to final user specification and business case agreement – supported by drones that are consistently rolled out across the country.

Further details will be sent for consultation with the service, and a business case will be evaluated by the Royal United Services Institute.

A paper will be shared with police and crime commissioners, chief constables and other emergency services in January. Changes are not likely to take place for at least two years to allow changes to be made in governance and laws, to allow drones to be used by all emergency services and under conditions currently against air traffic regulations.

“Air support is quite simple, you either move things, or you watch things. We now have an opportunity to do these things differently,” said Mr Byrne.