As crime rises and budgets are slashed, police are taking to the air to keep one step ahead of the criminals. With access to the National Police Air Service's operation centre and state-of-the-art helicopters equipped with the latest technology, this programme joins crews as they are dispatched to the country's most critical incidents, from high-speed car chases to catching criminals in the dead of night. Paul Bown presents.

A look at how the police use military drones to locate vulnerable missing people in impossible to reach places. Plus, behind the scenes with airborne fire fighters and a look at some of the fastest air ambulances currently in use, which race against the clock to get patients to hospital when every second counts.