The British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) bid a fond farewell to a member who has been with the Authority since its inception and who, for the last ten years, has ensured the interest of rail staff and BTP officers were at the heart of the Authority’s decisions.

Lew Adams has been with the Authority since 1 July 2004 and is the last of the original body of members. Lew’s term ends poignantly on the eve of the Authority’s ten year anniversary.

A keen Arsenal fan, Lew has also fully supported the ‘boys and girls in blue’ ensuring the British Transport Police had the money, tools and resources needed to police Great Britain’s railways.

During his ten years as a member Lew sat on several committees including one that determined the policing targets for the Force each year and played a key role in balancing the Authority’s aspirations for BTP with what was deliverable.

Lew has also been instrumental in bringing about change that will vastly improve the wellbeing of the Force – particularly for those on the frontline.

As Lead Member for Health and Safety, Lew and the Authority worked closely with BTP for a year and earlier this month BTPA and the Force introduced new H&S Policy.

Improvements include a new interim Head of Safety and Wellbeing, who will oversee the wellbeing of officers and staff nationally as well as a rollout of force wide monthly wellbeing days where officers can get regular check-ups and advice.

Andrew Figgures Chief Executive of the British Transport Police Authority at a presentation for Lew said:

“Lew has been a stalwart supporter and ally for BTP officers and has brought with him vast experience of the rail industry which has made him an asset to the Authority. On behalf of BTPA I want to thank him for his contributions over the years and wish him all the best.”

BTP’s Deputy Chief Constable David McCall added:

“Lew has consistently looked out for the interests of BTP and our officers and his voice has been heard loud and clear particularly when it comes to their health, safety and wellbeing.

As an Authority member Lew has made a real difference to the police service for the railways and we are grateful for the support and challenge he has provided. We wish Lew every success in whatever cause he intends to champion next.”

“Ten years has flown by” said Lew. “When I joined the Authority BTP was in a poor state now they are at the top of the league. I have always done what I can to support the people who work for the Force and on the railways and I am proud to see the Force go from strength to strength.”

Pic caption: From L to R Andrew Figgures Chief Executive BTPA, Brian Philpott Deputy Chair BTPA, Lew Adams Member and Deputy Chief Constable BTP David McCall.

 

BTPA is seeking an experienced finance professional to fill the position of Finance Director and act as Deputy Chief Executive.

The Authority is looking for a qualified accountant with the drive and energy for this demanding role.

The Finance Director will be responsible for providing independent financial advice to the Authority in all respects of its activity, including strategic planning and policy making process, as well as on budgetary matters.

They will also work closely with BTP colleagues to ensure that the financial affairs of the Authority and Force are properly administered and that financial regulations are observed and kept up to date.  The Finance Director will have overall responsibility for the Authority’s charging model which is used to defray the policing costs to the operators that provide and use the railways.

If you think you have the commitment, dedication and leadership to move the Authority forward we look forward to hearing from you.

For more information contact Andrew Figgures, Chief Executive on 020 7383 7708.

Documents to download

Applications for this position close at 5pm on Tuesday 8 July 2014.

BTPA FD Appointment Pack

Equal Opportunites Monitoring Form

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.

The British Transport Police Authority has commended the BTP for its successful work around suicide prevention on the railways and agreed to work together to ensure the recording of stop and search data can stand up to scrutiny in light of the recent HMIC inspection report.

The Authority, which oversees the work of the Force, commended BTP at a Performance Review Committee in May for the successful work they had carried out in the past year to deliver the Policing Priorities for 2013 -14.

The committee focused on key areas of performance including the progress BTP and partners were making in reducing disruption and the causes of disruption including suicides, attempted suicides and trespass.

The members commended BTP on its continued innovative partnership work to prevent suicide on the railways.

BTP signed an agreement earlier in the year between police, the NHS and other service providers which seeks to improve mental health crisis care and drive up standards. The Authority asked to be kept informed of best practice and of any problems which might need support at a national level.

The Authority was also impressed by the Force’s new approach to tackling repeat assaults on rail staff which includes improved systems to identify rail employees who are repeat victims of crime and seeks to understand why some are repeatedly targeted.

The Force’s use of stop and search powers was another key area of discussion with the Force reporting that much of the work BTP had embarked on, to review the quality and quantity of stop and search encounters, was already in line with Home Office reform.

The committee was encouraged by the Forces progress and arranged to work with BTP to carry out a more detailed analysis of the data to ensure accuracy of stop and search recording.

Liz France BTPA Member and Chair of the Performance Review Committee explained:

“BTP did excellent work last year and this is something which the Authority wants to build on.

“Following the recent HMIC inspection of crime data integrity and reforms to stop and search we need to continue to ask questions of the Force which give us, and through us, those who come in to contact with BTP, confidence that the data tells an accurate story, stands up to scrutiny and meets the highest standards.”

The British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) has responded to an announcement today by the Welsh Government to provide a further £15.8m to fund extra Community Support Officers including an extra £257,000 to continue to fund seven CSO’s for BTP and a part funded Police Inspector post based in North Wales over a three-year period.

Millie Banerjee Chair of BTPA which oversees the work of the BTP said:

“We welcome the support of the Welsh Government in continuing to fund these posts and helping us to deliver a safer more efficient rail journey in Wales. CSO’s play an important role in policing the railways their presence makes people feel safe and their patrols reduce crime.”

 

Paul Crowther OBE officially took up his post as Chief Constable of BTP on 1 May.

Paul is the first home grown chief in 50 years and his appointment coincides with the launch of the National and Local Policing Plans which outline the priorities for the force this year.

Millie Banerjee Chair of the British Transport Police Authority said: “I look forward to working closely with Paul as the Authority and the Force continue to make strides towards delivering an effective and efficient police force.”