British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) today announced the appointment of Paul Coen as interim Chief Executive.

Mr Coen was formerly Chief Executive of the Local Government Association and has wide experience spanning both the private and public sector, with over 20 years in senior local government roles.

BTPA Chairman Millie Banerjee said: “We are delighted Paul is able to join the BTPA on an interim basis. I look forward to working closely with him to help British Transport Police deliver an even safer rail network, overseen by an effective police authority.”

Chief Executive Richard Hemmings is currently on extended sick leave.

For more information, contact

Michael Daventry
Communications Officer
British Transport Police Authority
Tel: 020 7383 5678
Email: [email protected]

About British Transport Police Authority

BTPA is an independent body of that oversees the British Transport Police. It is composed of 14 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 http://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.

British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) has today announced the appointment of Paul Crowther as the new Deputy Chief Constable of British Transport Police.

Paul was appointed Assistant Chief Constable (Crime) for British Transport Police in 2007 and has been Temporary Deputy Chief Constable since August 2009, following his predecessor’s appointment as Chief Constable.

‘I am delighted to say that in Paul we have found the candidate we were looking for,’ said Millie Banerjee, BTPA Chairman. ‘The panel concluded that his strategic approach, his drive and his passion for BTP were precisely the qualities we were looking for.

‘With overall crime down again this year, the rail network has never been so safe. But there are tough challenges ahead in spite of past success so Paul’s job will be far from easy.’

Commenting on the appointment, Chief Constable Andy Trotter said: ‘I’ve been enormously impressed with Paul’s drive, energy and intellect during his period as Temporary DCC and I am delighted that he has been successful.

‘I would like to congratulate Paul, who is a very talented police officer and who will help navigate BTP through these difficult economic times. He understands the organisation and the pressures front line staff are under, and will undoubtedly play a significant role in steering us towards even better results.

‘This was a very impressive short list and Paul’s success shows the high calibre of officers that BTP is now producing.’

Transport Secretary, Andrew Adonis said: ‘I’m pleased that Paul Crowther has been chosen to be the new Deputy Chief Constable of the British Transport Police. I offer him my warmest congratulations on being selected from a first rate list of candidates and I very much look forward to working with him.’

Paul Crowther has spent his career with British Transport Police since he joined in 1980. He was an incident commander at several major train crash incidents, including Hatfield and Potters Bar, and led British Transport Police’s operational response following the terrorist attacks on 7 July and 21 July.

The Police Authority will advertise for a new Assistant Chief Constable (Crime) shortly.

For more information, contact

Michael Daventry
Communications Officer
British Transport Police Authority
Tel: 020 7383 5678
Email: [email protected]

About British Transport Police Authority

BTPA is an independent body of that oversees the British Transport Police. It is composed of 14 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 http://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.

Howard Collins and Neil Scales OBE are to become new members of the British Transport Police Authority, Transport Minister Chris Mole announced today.

Mr Collins is Chief Operating Officer of London Underground and has more than thirty years of experience in the transport industry. He will fill the position traditionally held by a representative of London Underground, which was vacated by Michael Brown until last year.

Mr Scales (pictured) is Chief Executive and Director General of Merseytravel, the body which coordinates transport in Merseyside, and also has worked in the transport industry for more than thirty years. He will replace Ray O’Toole, who leaves BTPA at the end of August.

“I was delighted to hear of this appointment and I warmly welcome Howard and Neil among our number,” said BTPA Chairman Millie Banerjee.

“One of the strengths of BTPA is its membership, which represents a mix of passenger and rail industry interests. In Howard and Neil we now have representatives for two of the busiest transport networks in the country.

“The result will be a police force that better understands the industry’s security needs, and a railway that is safer than it ever has been.”

Ms Banerjee also paid tribute to Mr O’Toole, who leaves the Police Authority following his appointment as Chief Operating Officer of the National Express Group.

“I would also like to thank Ray for his four years of service to the Authority, and wish him well in his new role at National Express.”

The new appointments take effect on Tuesday 1 September 2009, and bring BTPA’s membership to fifteen.

The Department for Transport’s announcement can be found here.

For more information, contact

Michael Daventry
Communications Officer
British Transport Police Authority
Tel: 020 7383 5678
Email: [email protected]

About British Transport Police Authority

BTPA is an independent body of that oversees the British Transport Police. It is composed of 14 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 http://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.

British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) today welcomed BTP’s latest crime figures, which showed a 4.5 percent reduction in crime in the 2008/09 operational year.

BTPA Chairman Millie Banerjee said: “I am delighted with these results, which show overall crime has fallen on Britain’s railways for the fifth successive year. They are testament to the hard work of officers and staff across the country in fighting crime on the rail network.”

“For this coming year, the Police Authority has set the Force the challenging target of continuing to reduce crime in a difficult financial climate. BTP will need to be prepared for a possible increase in crime during the recession, while at the same time continuing to save costs.”

The latest British Transport Police crime figures have been announced through BTP’s press centre.

The 2009/10 Policing Plan can be found on BTPA’s website by clicking here.

For more information, contact

Michael Daventry
Communications Officer
British Transport Police Authority
Tel: 020 7383 5678
Email: [email protected]

About British Transport Police Authority

BTPA is an independent body of that oversees the British Transport Police. It is composed of 14 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 http://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.

British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) has today announced Andrew Trotter as the next Chief Constable of British Transport Police.

Mr Trotter has been the Deputy Chief Constable for more than five years and was appointed at the end of a rigorous selection process.

BTPA Chairman Millie Banerjee said she is confident he will build on the transformation BTP has seen in the last eight years: “the next Chief Constable faces the challenging agenda of a difficult financial climate and increasing demands on the Force. I am confident Andy will deliver.”

BTP Chief Constable Ian Johnston said: “I am absolutely delighted that the Police Authority have been able to select Andy Trotter as the next Chief Constable of BTP. Andy has a vast experience of policing and in his new elevated role will bring fresh ways of continuing to improve the service the Force provides. He has shown outstanding leadership as my deputy, and I know will be a first class Chief Constable.”

Andrew Adonis, Minister for rail, said: “I was delighted to hear that Andy Trotter has been chosen to be the new Chief Constable of the British Transport Police. Ian Johnston has done a superb job in making the BTP the efficient and effective force it is today. I am sure that Andy will prove an excellent successor and I very much look forward to working with him.”

Andy Trotter takes command of more than 4000 police officers and staff across the country, all of whom are committed to making the railways a safer place for passengers and rail staff.

Mr Johnston will remain in office until the summer. BTPA will advertise for a new Deputy Chief Constable in due course.

For more information, contact

Michael Daventry
Communications Officer
British Transport Police Authority
Tel: 020 7383 5678
Email: [email protected]

About British Transport Police Authority

BTPA is an independent body of that oversees the British Transport Police. It is composed of 14 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 http://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.