With more than 20,000 hours of flying time, one helicopter based at Redhill Aerodrome has supported police in Surrey to save thousands of lives – and make countless arrests.
State-of-the-art cameras
The navy and yellow National Police Air Service (NPAS) aircraft is fitted with state-of-the-art cameras that can read an employee number on a lanyard from 1,200 feet up. And unlike any other police vehicle, the helicopter can make the journey from Redhill to Brighton – some 33 miles south – in just 13 minutes.
Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, visited Sergeant Paul Cole at the base to celebrate the service’s successes.
During the visit, Sgt Cole discussed the helicopter’s capabilities. The aircraft is routinely called into service to find missing people, many of whom will be in crisis. From the air, the team on board can use thermal cameras to identify heat signatures before guiding officers on the ground to the right location. The helicopter is frequently deployed to search for criminals or follow cars linked to criminal activity.
High-risk firearms incident
In June, a high-risk firearms incident in Surrey was safely brought to conclusion with support from NPAS. A suspect believed to be in possession of a rifle following a domestic incident was located from the air. The crew had been able to identify the suspect’s vehicle parked at a rural camping location and was able to monitor the individual moving to and from a nearby hut, providing real-time intelligence. This enabled armed officers on the ground to approach with a clear understanding of the risks and layout, leading to the safe arrest of the suspect. A firearm was recovered at the scene.
Redhill Aerodrome is one of 15 regional NPAS bases across England and Wales that together keep 20 helicopters and 4 fixed wing aircraft.
Across the month of July, 3,799 calls for the service were made nationally. And since the start of April 2026, NPAS crews have located 601 vulnerable people, 1831 suspects and 1,153 vehicles.
NPAS’s reach is extensive. In the 12-month period from 1st April 2025 to end of March 2026, there were 39,906 calls made for NPAS teams nationally resulting in 4,382 tasks attended by helicopter crews that led to vulnerable people, suspects and vehicles being located.
“Wonderful experience”
Lisa said: “I have visited the National Police Air Service team at the Redhill Aerodrome a number of times since I became Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner, and it’s always a wonderful experience.
“I am consistently struck by the professionalism and dedication of the crew and personnel.
“Having this function based right here in Surrey is a fantastic asset for the county, providing aerial capabilities that supports vulnerable people and helps keep our communities stay safe.
“The service plays an essential role in everything from tracking suspects to supporting search and rescue operations, and I’m proud of the difference it makes to policing in Surrey and beyond.”