This week, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) published their report on the British Transport Police’s ability to reduce disruption on the rail network.
Below is the response from BTPA Chair Ron Barclay Smith:
The BTPA welcomes the report from HMICFRS and its recommendations. While much progress has been made, and BTP’s contribution to the effective operation of the railway is now well recognised, it is clear that there is more work to do in some areas.
In particular the Authority notes the observations with respect to nurturing stakeholder relationships and the need to achieve a greater degree of agreement and support for the Force’s priorities. The Authority will work closely with the Force as it refreshes its engagement and communication strategy and we will seek to align this with our own and ensure these plans can identify the various and complex requirements of the industry.
We also look forward to working with partners and their representative bodies to build and communicate the contents of our future plans for BTP; including explaining how the eventual balance of the various policing and industry priorities has been arrived at.
We are working closely with the BTP and our partners to examine the detail of the report and its recommendations and together we will build a jointly owned action plan to realise the opportunities for further improvements HMICFRS has helpfully set out.
A number of the Authority’s Committees will be involved in the development and oversight of this action plan and we will regularly assess joint progress with colleagues from across the industry.