It is with great sorrow that we announce Liz Pike, Finance Director for the British Transport Police Authority, sadly died from cancer on Saturday 15 March.

Liz had been with the Authority for ten years and was a very highly regarded member of the team. As the Authority’s designated statutory Treasurer Liz was responsible for negotiating, collecting and managing an equitable allocation of charges for Police Service Agreement holders, as well as ensuring prudent, diligent and proper management of the Authority’s and Force’s finances. Liz’s vibrant personality and sharp intellect ensured that she delivered these responsibilities with confidence, whilst her drive and energy saw the Authority successfully navigate through a number of challenging projects.

Liz had worked in the rail industry for many years, coming to the Authority from National Express Group where she was Divisional Commercial Director for the Trains Division.  Liz was well known, liked and respected by all who knew her.

Andrew Figgures Chief Executive of the Police Authority said: “Liz was a wonderful person to work with and an asset to our team who will be sorely missed by me and her colleagues. I know Liz was immensely proud of her family and our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this difficult time.”

Liz is survived by her husband Stewart, daughters Jennifer and Heather and her parents Keith and Anne.

The Authority is collating a book of condolence which will be passed on to Liz’s family.  If you would like to include a message please contact [email protected] or call on 020 7383 3844 by Wednesday 26 March.

The British Transport Police Authority is delighted to announce the appointment of Mark Newton as Assistant Chief Constable B Division and Operations.  Mark was successful following a robust and challenging recruitment process and will take up his new position with effect from 1 April 2014.

Mark is currently Acting ACC and has been performing the role of Interim Director of Corporate Resources since May 2012. Following a review and renaming of this role, a recruitment process for a new permanent Director of Capability and Resources ran concurrently with that for an ACC.  An offer has been made and, subject to vetting, the individual is expected to join the Authority from 22 April 2014. This post attracted a very strong field of candidates and the Authority is confident that it has found the best person for the job.

Brian Phillpott Deputy Chair of the BTPA said: “Mark has a wealth of experience and a real understanding of policing  the railways which will support the delivery of the forces strategic aims to reduce disruption and crime for the benefit of passengers and the industry.”

There is significant change in the top team at BTP and the Authority is looking forward to embedding and working with the newly formed team to build on BTP’s successes in the future.

Targets, that will shape the policing of Britain’s railway and underground this year, are being finalised by the authority that oversees the work of the force.

The British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) and the British Transport Police are in the final planning stages of setting the National and Local Policing Plans which are due to be officially released on 1 April.

BTPA and the force spent much of last year talking to stakeholders from the rail industry about what policing priorities matter to them, ranging from responding to crime to dealing with fatalities on the railways.

Feedback has resulted in the creation of local plans that more closely meet the specific needs of Network Rail and train operating companies.

The Authority and BTP recently took the decision to restructure the geographical makeup of the force which will better align with local policing plans. The full implementation of the new restructure will coincide with the launch of the policing plans this April.

Millie Banerjee Chair of the BTPA said: “The plans have involved a lot of consultation and should result in a better delivery of policing for the rail industry and passengers. Any savings the force has made will be ploughed back into frontline resources including investment in 180 – 200 more officers and new technology to ensure efficient and effective policing.”

The National and Local plans feed into the authorities wider strategic aims to:

• Help keep rail transport systems running
• Help make rail transport systems safer and more secure
• Deliver value for money through continuous  improvement
• Promote confidence in the use of rail transport systems.

Advertisement for Director of Capability and Resources

British Transport Police Authority is looking for a Director of Capability and Resources to join the senior team of officers at the police force.

This is policing with a difference – working with the rail industry. The BTP polices an expanding railway, more than 2.7 billion passenger journeys and 113 million tonnes of freight to be moved next year on a rail system throughout Great Britain, including London Underground. The environment is operationally and commercially demanding. The implementation of our Strategy requires a Director of Capability and Resources who can support the Chief Constable in transforming the BTP through the exploitation of technology to enable new ways of working. Every pound we spend, raised from the rail industry, must work to give operational success.

The Director of Capability and Resources is responsible for converting the money the Authority raises into the policing capability necessary to reduce crime and disruption, whilst improving passenger confidence. They will recruit, train, equip, accommodate and pay the Force in order that it can achieve our ambitious objectives. They will establish the means by which we can assess the relationships between financial inputs and operational outcomes. The successful candidate will establish themselves within the Strategic Command Team and will work in partnership within the Force and the Authority to achieve results.

We require someone with a breadth of experience and skills who can demonstrate that they have delivered successful outcomes; hence the appointment is open to both civilians with or without a police service background and police officers.

Documents to download

Applications for this position closed at 11.59pm on Friday 31st January 2014.

Contact information

If you have any questions about the application process please contact 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.

Advertisement for Assistant Chief Constable

British Transport Police Authority is looking for an Assistant Chief Constable to join the senior team of officers at the police force.

This is a policing job with a difference – working closely with the Rail Industry. The railways are expanding – more than 2.7 billion passenger journeys and 113 million tonnes of freight to be moved next year on the rail system throughout Great Britain including London Underground. The environment is operationally and commercially demanding.

We want an Assistant Chief Constable who can build on the excellent performance of others to achieve our ambitious objectives. A risk-based approach with the ability to exercise wide discretion in the use of police powers is required to keep the railways running, staff secure and passengers safe whilst preserving the integrity of the office of constable.

If you are ambitious and can show you have the ability to justify this, we want to hear from you.

Documents to download

Applications for this position closed at 11.59pm on Friday 31st January 2014.

Contact information

If you have any questions about the application process please contact 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.