Member reappointment

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.

An update from BTPA in response to COVID-19

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].

Statement from the BTPA Chair

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.

We want to hear your views on policing the railway in 2020

The British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) are seeking the views of rail staff and passengers on the BTP’s Policing Plans for 2020/21.

Every April, the BTPA publishes the policing plans for the year, including objectives, measures and resource numbers for each of its regional divisions. Prior to this, the Police Authority reaches out to colleagues in the rail industry, BTP staff, officers and other interested parties to consult on the draft content of those plans.

Hugh Ind, Chief Executive of the BTPA, said: “To hear the views of our funders and colleagues within the rail industry is imperative to help us provide an effective and efficient specialised police service for the railway in England, Scotland and Wales. The BTP faces unique policing challenges and we rely on joint working with rail staff, industry personnel and the public to protect passengers and keep the railway safe.”

To have your say on the 2020/21 BTP policing plans, please complete the survey before 7 February 2020.

You can see previous years’ plans on the the Policing Plans section of our website.

BTP Chief Constable awarded CBE in 2020 New Year’s Honours

The British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) would like to congratulate Chief Constable Paul Crowther on being awarded a CBE in the 2020 New Year’s Honours.

BTPA Chair Ron Barclay-Smith said: “On behalf of my Authority colleagues I would like to congratulate Paul. This is both greatly deserved and a testament to Paul’s hard work and contribution to the safety and security of Britain’s railways. I would like to thank Paul for all he has done and look forward to another successful year.”

More information can be found on the BTP website.