Recommendation P1-45: NPAS helicopter datalink encryption standards
From Grenfell Tower Inquiry: Phase 1 Report, published 30 October 2019.
Recommendation
Steps be taken to ensure that the airborne datalink system on every NPAS helicopter observing an incident which involves one of the other emergency services defaults to the National Emergency Service user encryption.
In brief (written by this site)
In February 2025, the Home Office reported the recommendation as complete, stating that the National Police Air Service had mandated refresher training across 43 police forces and that software upgrades enabling airborne data link systems to automatically default to National Emergency Services user encryption had been completed for all operational aircraft (Home Office, Feb 2025). HM Government had previously stated in January 2020 that aircraft were being manually configured at the start of each shift while an automated technology solution was developed (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government response, Jan 2020).
Sources
AI-generated summary of the record on this page, checked by a second model and automatic checks, 26 Sep 2026. The record below is the sources' own words.
Government response
The Chair recommended steps be taken to ensure airborne data systems on every National Police Air Service (NPAS) aircraft observing an incident which involves one of the other emergency services defaults to the National Emergency Service User encryption. NPAS aircraft are equipped with imagery systems which capture and transmit images to receivers on the ground. These images are encrypted for security purposes.
NPAS have completed refreshed training to ensure that all Tactical Flight Officers and pilots are up to date and competent with the encryption systems. Since December 2019, all NPAS aircraft are now manually set at the beginning of each shift to ensure data links can be received by all emergency services as the default. NPAS are working on a technology solution to automate this when aircraft are powered on and this work is due to be completed in July 2020.
How this response relates to the recommendation
Site note: This is the government's response to the Phase 1 report (CP 209, 21 January 2020). It is organised by theme, not by recommendation, and states its position once, in its introduction: "the Government accepted in principle all these recommendations", meaning the recommendations "relevant to government". Where the row shows a passage from a themed section, that is the section on this recommendation's subject; where it shows the introduction, the response has no passage on this recommendation's subject. The status on a recommendation addressed to government is the introduction's. Where the recommendation is addressed to building owners, the emergency services or the National Police Air Service, the response describes work without stating acceptance, and the row is marked noted.
Delivery
Home Office says completed (26 February 2025)
Status: complete
The National Police Air Service (NPAS) mandated all operational crews complete refresher training in the use of Airborne data link equipment, writing to all 43 Home Office police forces (across England and Wales). Software upgrades to enable the Airborne data link system to automatically default to the National Emergency Services user encryption have now been completed for all operational NPAS aircraft.
From: Progress against the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 1 recommendations, February 2025
Site note: This is the Home Office's thematic update on progress against the Phase 1 recommendations. Its introduction says it includes updates from the relevant government departments and assurances received from the National Fire Chiefs Council, London Fire Brigade and other emergency services on their progress. The status line and the passage are the Home Office's compilation of what those bodies reported to it; where the passage gives a status for fire and rescue services and a separate one for London Fire Brigade, both are shown as printed.
Earlier statements on delivery (2)
Home Office (16 September 2024)
Status: Complete
The National Police Air Service (NPAS) mandated all operational crews complete refresher training in the use of Airborne data link equipment, writing to all 43 Home Office police forces (across England and Wales). Software upgrades to enable the Airborne data link system to automatically default to the National Emergency Services user encryption have now been completed for all operational NPAS aircraft.
From: Progress against the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 1 recommendations, September 2024
Site note: This is the Home Office's thematic update on progress against the Phase 1 recommendations. Its introduction says it includes updates from the relevant government departments and assurances received from the National Fire Chiefs Council, London Fire Brigade and other emergency services on their progress. The status line and the passage are the Home Office's compilation of what those bodies reported to it; where the passage gives a status for fire and rescue services and a separate one for London Fire Brigade, both are shown as printed.
Home Office (5 February 2024)
Status: Complete
The National Police Air Service (NPAS) mandated all operational crews complete refresher training in the use of Airborne data link equipment, writing to all 43 Home Office police forces (across England and Wales). Software upgrades to enable the Airborne data link system to automatically default to the National Emergency Services user encryption have now been completed for all operational NPAS aircraft.
From: Progress against the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 1 recommendations, February 2024
Site note: This is the Home Office's thematic update on progress against the Phase 1 recommendations. Its introduction says it includes updates from the relevant government departments and assurances received from the National Fire Chiefs Council, London Fire Brigade and other emergency services on their progress. The status line and the passage are the Home Office's compilation of what those bodies reported to it; where the passage gives a status for fire and rescue services and a separate one for London Fire Brigade, both are shown as printed.
Responsible bodies
Themes and tags
Who has spoken
- UK Government
Response - Home Office
Delivery statement