Metropolitan Police Air Support Unit

Metropolitan Police Air Support Unit
Name	Metropolitan Police Air Support Unit
Formed	1980s
Jurisdiction	London
Parent agency	Metropolitan Police Service
Headquarters	RAF Northolt
Aircraft type	Helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, drones

Metropolitan Police Air Support Unit is the aviation arm of the Metropolitan Police Service responsible for aerial reconnaissance, search, surveillance and tactical support across Greater London and surrounding counties. The unit provides rapid airborne response to terrorism incidents, public order events, missing person searches and major crime investigations, working alongside agencies such as the British Transport Police, London Ambulance Service, London Fire Brigade and the National Crime Agency. It has evolved through technological change, regulatory oversight from the Civil Aviation Authority and operational coordination with the Home Office and Ministry of Defence.

History

The Air Support capability traces roots to ad hoc police aviation in the late 20th century, influenced by policing innovations in United States urban police departments, the introduction of rotary-wing assets in the Royal Air Force and public safety aviation developments in France and Germany. Early formalisation occurred in the 1980s amid rising concerns about armed robbery and organised crime linked to cases like the 1981 Brixton riots and high-profile sieges such as the Greenwich siege. Expansion followed London's changing threat profile after the 1996 Docklands bombing and the 7 July 2005 London bombings, prompting investment recommended by reviews in the Home Affairs Select Committee and coordination with the Association of Chief Police Officers. The unit transitioned through procurement cycles influenced by European Union aviation standards and entered the 21st century integrating fixed-wing platforms and unmanned aerial systems developed by firms tied to the Defence and Security Accelerator.

Organisation and command

Command is exercised within the Metropolitan Police Service structure under specialist crime and operations directorates, liaising with commanders at New Scotland Yard, borough commanders across Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, Camden and Croydon, and strategic partners in the Mayor of London’s office. The unit operates under civil aviation regulations from the Civil Aviation Authority and coordinates airspace use with National Air Traffic Services and military controllers at RAF Northolt and Heathrow Airport when required. Tactical tasking flows through joint coordination with the Counter Terrorism Command (SO15), Specialist Firearms Command (SCO19), and local Safer Neighbourhoods teams for operational support.

Fleet and equipment

The fleet has included variants of the Eurocopter AS355, EC145, Airbus H135 and other civil rotorcraft registered with the Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom). Fixed-wing assets such as the Cessna 208 Caravan have been used for extended surveillance and transport. The unit has progressively adopted sensor suites including gyro-stabilised daylight and thermal cameras supplied by manufacturers linked to Thales Group and FLIR Systems, evidence capture systems interoperable with databases maintained by the National Police Chiefs' Council, secure datalinks compliant with NATO standards and encrypted communications compatible with the Airwave (communications network). Unmanned aerial vehicles procured under frameworks used by the Defence Equipment and Support organisation have supplemented manned assets for persistent surveillance, while night vision devices and hoist systems enable casualty evacuation in coordination with the London Ambulance Service.

Operations and roles

Operational roles encompass air support for armed response deployments coordinated with Specialist Firearms Command (SCO19), search-and-rescue coordination alongside the Coastguard for incidents on the Thames, surveillance during major events such as the Notting Hill Carnival, policing of demonstrations outside Parliament Square, and evidence gathering in homicide inquiries tied to the Crown Prosecution Service’s casework. The unit supported counter-terrorism operations following advisory warnings from the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre and has provided overwatch for royal events at Buckingham Palace and transport security at Heathrow Airport and Gatwick Airport. It contributed to multi-agency flood responses alongside Environment Agency teams during Thames flooding episodes and to transport policing during strikes affecting Transport for London services.

Training and personnel

Pilots are typically drawn from experienced civil or military rotorcraft pilots, with pathways including secondments from the Royal Air Force and training at recognised organisations such as the British Helicopter Association’s approved centres. Crew training covers instrument flying rules in coordination with National Air Traffic Services, tactical manoeuvres for support of Specialist Firearms Command (SCO19), evidence handling aligned with the Forensic Science Service standards, and data protection training reflecting obligations under the Data Protection Act 2018 and the Information Commissioner's Office guidance. Personnel engage in joint exercises with the London Ambulance Service, London Fire Brigade, British Transport Police and military units, and attend courses at institutions like the College of Policing.

Incidents and controversies

The unit has been involved in incidents and public scrutiny concerning privacy, collision risks, noise complaints from communities in Hounslow, Bexley and Croydon, and operational safety reviews after accidents that prompted investigations by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch. High-profile controversies have included debates over surveillance scope raised by civil liberties groups such as Liberty (advocacy group) and legal challenges referencing human rights considerations in cases heard at the High Court of Justice and appeals at the Court of Appeal. Procurement and outsourcing decisions attracted parliamentary scrutiny from the Home Affairs Select Committee and media coverage by outlets like the BBC and The Guardian, particularly concerning contracts with private aviation firms and interoperability issues during major incidents.

Category:Metropolitan Police Service Category:Police aviation in the United Kingdom Category:Law enforcement agencies in London