This week, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) published two inspection reports into the British Transport Police (BTP):

• Effectiveness, Efficiency and Legitimacy (PEEL)
• Vetting and Counter Corruption

Below is the response from BTPA Chair Ron Barclay Smith:

“BTPA welcomes both reports and the recommendations from the HMICFRS, and we appreciate the time and effort spent inspecting BTP. While HMICFRS have highlighted success in some areas, we realise there is room for improvement, and we are keen to work with the Chief Constable and her teams to ensure we meet the recommendations.

We are pleased to see, and fully agree with, HMICFRS’s decision to mark BTP ‘Good’ when it comes to engaging with the public, preventing crime and protecting vulnerable people. These important areas make up the strategic pillars which direct the everyday work of BTP officers. We are particularly appreciative of the Inspectorate’s acknowledgement of BTP’s work with other organisations, including Independent Advisory Groups (IAGs) and charities that support vulnerable people. BTP were also praised for our “good use” of third-party and anonymous reporting to encourage trust and confidence in individuals or groups who are less likely to engage with the police.

BTPA have noted the ‘Inadequate’ rating for Vetting and Counter Corruption. Since the inspection was carried out, BTP have completed all the HMICFRS’s recommendations. BTP is a force proud of their proactive work on vetting, especially given current media scrutiny of policing. BTP is one of only two Forces nationally to have achieved ISO9001 accreditation for a quality management system for vetting systems and processes. BTPA will continue to work with BTP to push for more robust processes, ensuring a legitimate workforce.”

The British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) have today appointed Karen Findlay LVO KPM as Assistant Chief Constable at the British Transport Police (BTP).

Karen started her broad and impressive career in policing at Grampian Police. She has also undertaken roles as Head of Operations for the National Police Operations Coordination Centre, and secondments to the Police Service of Northern Ireland and South Wales Police to oversee and support national event delivery. Most recently, Karen served as Temporary Commander in the Metropolitan Police Service with responsibility for major events including all key sporting, ceremonial and protest activity, public order policing, emergency preparedness, business continuity and resourcing for the service.

In December 2023, she was recognised in the King’s New Year’s Honours as a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order, as well as receiving the King’s Police Medal for her extensive public order command experience in challenging and complex significant event delivery, including Operation London Bridge, the State Funeral of Her Majesty and as Gold Commander for Operation Golden Orb, the Coronation of King Charles III. In addition, her significant contribution to and advocacy of diversity in the service.

Karen will join the Force in June 2024.

Chair of the BTPA, Ron Barclay-Smith said: “I am delighted that Karen is joining BTP’s Chief Officer group. We had some outstanding applicants for this role, but Karen’s stellar experience in high-level policing, major incidents and operational command made her stand out. She will be a huge asset to BTP.”

BTP Chief Constable Lucy D’Orsi CVO QPM said: “I am thrilled to extend a warm welcome to Karen as she joins BTP at this exciting time. Karen brings a wealth of experience and knowledge, and I am looking forward to working with her as we continue to protect the most vulnerable and create a hostile environment for crime on the railway.”

Karen Findlay said: “I’m delighted to be joining BTP as Assistant Chief Constable and am looking forward in due course to meeting up with the fantastic staff, officers and rail industry partners from across Scotland, England and Wales in what will be a new exciting chapter as a member of the BTP family.

“Whilst embarking on the next steps of this new role, I want to take a moment to reflect on the invaluable wealth of learning and experience, and the much appreciated support I have gained from officers and staff, volunteers, peers and partners who I have had the pleasure of working alongside during my substantial period of service within the Met, and following my initial service with Grampian Police in Scotland.

“The lessons and memories, but above all the people, will always be what remains important to me, and I will strive to ensure those skills, experiences and my passion for policing continue to make a meaningful difference and a positive impact in this next part of the journey. Equally, I am grateful to my family for their continued support in taking this next step forwards.”

Appointments to BTP’s Chief Officer Group are approved by the Secretary of State for Transport. For more information on the BTP’s Chief Officer team, please visit the Chief Officer page on the BTP website.

 

The British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) have today announced five new Authority Members, who will provide financial and performance oversight for the British Transport Police.

Dyan Perry rejoins BTPA as Deputy Chair and was the CEO of HS1 Ltd, a post she held for over six years. She is currently Chair of The National Skills Academy for Rail and she is a Non-Executive Director (NED) for East West Railway, the TransPennine Route Upgrade and a Board member for the Australian High Speed Rail Authority.

Brian Lynch is currently Head of Operations for the Elizabeth Line at Transport for London, having previously spent 10 years in various roles at Network Rail.

Paula Carter is Chair of the OfCom Advisory Committee for England, having previously worked at a senior level for multiple British Television Companies. Paula currently holds non-executive director (NED) roles at the Port of London Authority and the Rugby Football Union.

Abdul Elghedafi is a solicitor working in the public sector specialising in contracts, public sector procurement law and data protection law. He has extensive experience as an NED where he sat on the Boards of a further education college and the NHS in Scotland. He currently serves as a NED with the British Dietetic Association.

Tricia Hayes worked in the civil service for 36 years and has extensive, senior experience within Government, including within the Home Office as Second Permanent Secretary and the Department for Transport. She is currently Chair Designate of London TravelWatch and a Board Member at Transport Focus.

Chair of the BTPA, Ron Barclay-Smith, said: “I am delighted to have such highly-skilled, experienced colleagues join the BTP Authority. Each of the new Members and Deputy Chair will bring unique and individual knowledge to our organisation, representing the unique and individual groups served by the BTP.

“I look forward to working with all five of them in the future and hope we can achieve some great results ensuring the safety and security of the rail network and the public.

“I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank Andy Cooper for his tenure and support as temporary Deputy Chair since December 2020. Andy filled an imperative gap in our governance and will continue to sit on the Authority in the future.”

There will now be 16 Members of the BTPA, the independent oversight body responsible for ensuring an efficient and effective police force. The Authority is made up of a Chair, Deputy Chair and Authority Members, supported by an executive team who manage finance, strategy, governance, performance and secretariat along with holding the Chief Constable to account.

BTPA is responsible for Chief Officer appointments, setting the budget and charging the costs of railway policing out to the rail industry and service users. BTPA ensures that industry priorities are reflected in the operational planning and service delivery of BTP and coordinates misconduct hearings and complaint reviews.

The Secretary of State for Transport has appointed Iain Whyte as the new British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) Member for Scotland.

Iain, from Edinburgh, currently sits on the City of Edinburgh Council and has previously served as a board member for the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) and NHS Lothian.

As the BTPA member for Scotland, Iain will chair the Scottish Railways Policing Committee (SRPC), which is a sub-committee of the BTPA upon which serve two co-opted members of the SPA. The Committee provides a sharper focus on railway policing and BTP operations in Scotland, in particular joint working and collaboration between the BTP and Police Scotland.

BTPA Chair Ron Barclay-Smith said: “I am delighted that DfT has appointed Iain as an Authority Member. He has substantial experience of decision making and oversight on Public Sector boards, as well as detailed knowledge of police governance in Scotland. He will be an asset to the BTPA membership, and we look forward to working with him.”

Iain said: “I am excited to work with colleagues across BTP, Scottish policing and the rail industry in Scotland to ensure that the British Transport Police are meeting the needs and reflecting the priorities of those who travel and work on the network in Scotland.”

There are now 11 Members of the BTPA, the independent oversight body responsible for ensuring an efficient and effective police force. The Authority is made up of a Chair, Deputy Chair, and Authority Members, supported by an executive team who manage finance, strategy, governance, performance and secretariat along with holding the Chief Constable to account.

BTPA is responsible for Chief Officer appointments, setting the budget and charging the costs of railway policing out to the rail industry and service users. BTPA ensures that industry priorities are reflected in the operational planning and service delivery of BTP and coordinates misconduct hearings and complaint reviews.

The British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) is responsible for defraying the costs of railway policing to the rail industry and other service users. We are reviewing the way in which we allocate these charges to our core funders, and proposing a new methodology that will be simpler, more predictable and should reduce volatility.

BTPA is consulting on the proposed changes for a six-week period, from 26 September to 7 November.

Consultation pack on reform of the charging methodology for the allocation of charges to PSA holders

Frequently Asked Questions (updated 23/10/2023)

Worked example

Slidedeck: Stakeholder Engagement Session (1 November 2023)

Update on BTPA’s Consultation: December 2023

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]