BTPA have responded to a Transport Select Committee report released today about security on the railways.

Chair of the British Transport Police Authority Millie Banerjee said:“We are pleased the Transport Select Committee has recognised the achievement’s BTP has made in reducing crime year on year during the ten years the Authority has overseen the Force’s work.

“Their achievements are a direct result of the targets we have set.

“Work around the protection of vulnerable children at railway stations has already begun and we will work closely with partners to develop further understanding of this complex policing matter in order to introduce appropriate targets in the New Year. I offered my assurances to the committee that I would look into this issue further and I will.

“We are robust in our scrutiny to ensure the Force complies with its statutory responsibilities and will continue to develop our oversight to ensure all those who work on and use the railway, including children, are safe.”

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Newton said: “As the committee acknowledges, crime on Britain’s railways has fallen for the tenth year in a row due to the ‘effectiveness of the specialist rail policing provided by British Transport Police.’

“We support the committee’s focus on vulnerable people on the rail network. BTP is confident its child-safeguarding measures are robust, with children and young people found on the railway returned to places of safety. There is always more we can do.

“The report says 750 missing children were found at London railway stations in the 16 months to August 2013. This figure has been misinterpreted. In fact, the vast majority came into police contact for entirely different reasons and were not missing at all.

“BTP will continue to develop analysis in other areas to inform its work in keeping children safe when they come to our notice.

“Between November 2012 and this month, BTP found approximately 265 children on or around the railway, reported missing from home across the country – around three a week.”

View the full report

BTP have released their 2013 – 14 annual report which gives information on their territorial restructure, current targets, challenges and achievements.

Notable achievements include a reduction of 18 per cent in recorded robberies, a 17 per cent drop in theft of passenger property and a 37 per cent fall in theft of cable from the railway.

Notifiable crime (which makes up the more serious offences dealt with by the Force) fell by six per cent during 2013/2014 – meaning there were more than 3,000 fewer victims of crime than the previous year.

Millie Banerjee Chair of the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) said:

“Over a billion passenger journeys were made last year each one made safer by the work of officers at the BTP.

“The Force have a clear understanding of what is important to passengers launching a number of successful operations last year that prevented crime or reduced delays.

“With more and more passengers carrying expensive gadgets with them, theft of personal property as well as preventative work to stop passengers being victims of sexual assault are a priority for BTP.

“BTPA have been impressed by the operations put in place to tackle these crimes and BTP’s excellent use of social media to catch perpetrators and combat crime.

“We will continue to work with our partners in the rail industry to drive investment into the Force so that BTP stays on track to meet targets that will deliver safe, delay free journeys.”

Many of their annual targets have not only been reached but exceeded and crime has reduced on Britain’s railways for the tenth successive year.

Download BTP’s 2013 -14 annual report

The British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) has today announced the appointment of the new Deputy Chief Constable for the BTP.

Millie Banerjee Chair of the BTPA said: “I am delighted to announce that the Authority has appointed Adrian Hanstock as the new Deputy Chief Constable for BTP.

“This appointment follows a robust and challenging process that brought together a strong and diverse field of candidates.

“Adrian, during all steps of the recruitment process, demonstrated in-depth knowledge, experience and ability and we are confident he will be a strong addition to the Force.”

Adrian is currently a Commander with the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) serving as Head of Crime and Criminal Justice.

He was the operational commander for the MPS Safer Transport Command and Roads Policing and has extensive experience delivering a policing service in a transport and business environment.

As Commander he has also led major programmes for the MPS including the roll out of body worn video, crime data integrity, performance improvements and stop and search. Earlier in his service Adrian was Borough Commander for Enfield and Staff Officer for the Commissioner, Sir Paul Stephenson.

“As Deputy Adrian has many challenges ahead and will work alongside the Chief to deliver his vision for BTP” added Millie.

“Adrian has shown himself to be the best person to take on this ambitious role and we look forward to working with him and the Chief to deliver the best possible policing on Britain’s railways.”

Adrian is expected to take up his post later in the year.

A recent government review into the BTPA has concluded the Authority is still necessary and remains the right body for overseeing the work of the transport police.

The Minister of State for Transport Baroness Kramer published part one of a triennial review of BTPA and its functions on 14 July.

Transport Minister Baroness Kramer said: “I am pleased to announce the conclusion of the part one review and the publication of the report.

“The report concludes that the functions of the BTPA are still necessary, that it remains the right body for delivering them and that the BTPA should remain a Non Departmental Public Body (NDPB).

“The report also concludes that the overall level of compliance with good practice on corporate governance is good, with just a few omissions and weaknesses which should be capable of being quickly addressed. The Department for Transport will be taking these recommended measures forward in discussion with the BTPA over the coming months.

“The review has been progressed in two parts. Part one – the core triennial review – has considered the continuing need for the BTPA’s functions and the case for it to remain a NDPB. It has also looked at the control and governance arrangements in place to ensure that the BTPA is complying with recognised principles of good corporate governance.

“Part two of the review considers a wider range of issues raised by the industry about the effectiveness of the BTPA in the discharge of its functions and the industry’s ability to influence outcomes.”

Millie Banerjee Chair of the BTPA said: “We are pleased with part one of the review and will work closely with the DFT to address any short comings. BTPA is committed to delivering the best possible policing of Britain’s railways and await – with keen interest – part two of the report.”

View the full statement from the Minister of State for Transport.

Advertisement for Deputy Chief Constable

British Transport Police (BTP) is the specialist police force serving the railways across England, Wales & Scotland.  Rail transport is flourishing, with significant expansion of infrastructure and continued increases in passengers and freight.  Working in partnership with the industry, BTP delivers a networked, responsive, innovative and visible policing service to ensure the safety, security and reliability of the rail and underground network and all who use it.

The British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) seeks a chief officer with a proven track record of success to fill the appointment of Deputy Chief Constable.  The successful candidate will be a robust energetic leader able to exercise initiative.  They will build strong relationships across the Force and work closely with the Chief Constable to transform the Force by ensuring coherency and consistency of operations and organisational development to deliver the Force’s strategy.

BTPA is conducting its recruitment in accordance with the College of Policing principles of merit, fairness and openness and encourages external applications.

To find out more visit www.btpa.police.uk/dcc or contact Andrew Figgures, Chief Executive on 020 7383 7708.

Documents to download

BTPA DCC Appointment Pack

Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form

Applications for this position closed at 5pm on Friday 11 July 2014.

Contact information

If you have any questions about the application process please contact Business Manager Lucy Yasin on 020 7383 3844 or email [email protected].

We want our organisation to be as diverse as the community it serves. We welcome applicants from all sections of community.

About the BTPA

BTPA is an independent body of that oversees the British Transport Police. It is composed of 15 members who represent the rail operators and passengers. It maintains the force’s budget, allocates resources and makes senior appointments to the force. For more information, visit www.btpa.police.uk .

British Transport Police is the specialist, national police service for Britain’s railways. It deals with major and minor crime, disorder and incidents, and covers the rail system in England, Wales and Scotland. Its police officers, Police Community Support Officers, Special Constables and support staff are recruited and trained like those of local forces and have the same powers.