The British Transport Police are working hard on the frontline during the current COVID-19 pandemic in difficult circumstances and in support of the public and rail industry partners. The Police Authority are doing all that we can to support the Force through this period.

Prior to the pandemic, the Force and the Authority had worked together with industry partners to formulate a Policing Plan to steer operations in 2020/21. These plans were finalised before the end of March, but the Force is not yet in a position to divert its core operational focus back from the changing priorities necessitated by the course of the pandemic.

Therefore, the Authority has decided further to postpone the publication of the 20/21 Policing Plan with an expectation to publish when the demands on the British Transport Police have returned to an approximation of the norm across England, Wales and Scotland.

The Authority will be reviewing the situation on a monthly basis and will keep our partners – and this website – updated with our plans.

If you have queries on the 20/21 Policing Plan, please contact Katie Stanton.

 

6 April 2020
Message from the BTPA Chair – 2020/21 Policing Plans

In accordance with section 52 of the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003, the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) has now completed its work on the development of its Policing Plans for 2020/21.

In a normal year we would publish these at the start of the new business year (1 April) but in recognition of the current, exceptional, operating environment, the Authority has decided to pause publication until at least the end of April.

We have taken this unprecedented decision to allow our officers and staff the space they need to focus on the immediate priority of keeping the railway operational during the COVID-19 crisis to allow the safe movement of essential workers and freight around the network. The Force remains committed to keeping the network, passengers and staff safe during this very challenging time.

We will keep the operational environment under review and revisit our decision towards the end of April when I will provide another update via this website. If you would like more information on our approved plans in the interim please contact our Executive Team at [email protected]

Ron Barclay-Smith
Chair, BTPA

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.

The Authority is pleased to announce that the Secretary of State for Transport has approved the reappointment of BTPA member Beverley Shears for another four-year term until January 2024.

Bev has been an Authority member since 2017, and currently sits on the Strategy and Planning Committee and Appointments and Remuneration Committee, as well as the Full Authority. Prior to joining the BTPA, Bev held several senior HR roles in the rail industry and specialises in change management and people engagement.

BTPA Chair Ron Barclay-Smith said: “Bev has been a real asset to the Police Authority during her tenure and I’m delighted she has been reappointed. I want to thank Bev for all her hard work and look forward to working with her in the future.”

Information about all our Authority members can be found in the Full Authority section of this website.

23 April 2020

Given the ongoing situation around COVID-19, Authority staff are still working remotely but we are keeping our approach under regular review. All staff are contactable via email and meetings are being carried out via video call.

The BTPA senior team are supporting the BTP via its twice daily gold group calls and members are updated regularly on Force business. The upcoming Authority and Committee meetings scheduled for May, June and July will be taking place via video conference and agendas will be available on this website in due course.

Our team can be contacted via email [email protected] or on 07748 320626.

20 March 2020

Given the current risks posed by COVID-19 and in accordance with Government advice, all face-to-face Authority meetings and committees are cancelled until further notice. These meetings will instead be held by telephone conference and relevant committee papers will be published on this website where possible.

Normal service will resume as soon as the situation permits and we will keep this page updated.

The BTP continues to prioritise the safety and security of the rail network and travelling public, and the BTPA fully supports them in that. A detailed update from BTP can be read here.

All BTPA staff are currently working remotely and our Camden Street office is closed. Please direct any urgent enquiries to 07748 320626 or [email protected].

On behalf of the Authority I would like to say how terribly sad we all were to hear of the death of Detective Constable John Coker on Friday 17 April. It is clear that he was a much valued colleague and will be missed by many of us at BTP.

Our thoughts are with his family at this extremely difficult time and with those who knew and worked with John during his time at BTP. We would also like to offer our sincere thanks to all BTP staff and officers who are working so hard during this exceptional period to keep the railway operational and its passengers and staff safe.

A statement from BTP Chief Constable Paul Crowther can be read on the BTP website.