Chief Constable Ian Johnston announced today he is to leave British Transport Police (BTP) when his contract expires in September 2009. Having been in the post for eight years, he has decided not to seek a further renewal of his contract. He will leave behind a distinguished record of achievement.

“I would like to recognise Chief Constable Johnston’s immense contribution to reforming railway policing in Britain,” said Millie Banerjee, chairman of the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA). “Under his leadership, BTP has been transformed into a force that delivers its targets to railway users and operators in a cost-effective and efficient way.

“It will be difficult to find a replacement who can match his dedication and energy.”

BTPA is keen to have Mr Johnston’s successor in place in time for a formal handover, and is expecting to make the appointment by the end of April.

Odgers Ray & Berndtson has been appointed to conduct the recruitment process. The position will be advertised in The Sunday Times this weekend and in selected policing journals next week.

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.

Millie Banerjee CBE has been appointed as the new chair of the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA), the Transport Minister Lord Adonis announced today. She will assume the role on 1 December and succeeds Sir Alistair Graham, who finished his term of office at the end of September. “I’m looking forward to the role and very pleased to be here, working with this small but very effective team,” she said.

“My aim is to support the force and create an environment in which to deliver, in the context of better policing, on transport and the perceived and real concerns of users, in an effective and cost efficient way.”

The BTPA oversees the British Transport Police, maintaining the budget, allocating resources and making senior appointments to the force. One of Ms Banerjee’s responsibilities over the coming year will be to oversee the process of appointing a new Chief Constable at the force to replace Ian Johnston, who retires next summer.

“We have had an excellent working relationship with Sir Alistair, who has done much for (the force) since the BTPA was set up,” said the Chief Constable. “He has helped us greatly through some difficult times, not least the 2005 London bombings, and has also been assiduous in ensuring that BTP is providing maximum value for money and the best possible service to the rail passengers and staff. We look forward to working with Ms Banerjee in the future.”

Ms Banerjee is no stranger to the rail community, having served as a non-executive director at the Strategic Rail Authority between 2000 and 2005. She brings to the BTPA her extensive experience from several non-executive appointments, including the boards of Focus, the Sector Skills Development Agency and Channel 4 Television. She also spent 25 years with BT.

Currently she serves on the boards of Ofcom, Consumer Focus, in her capacity as the former chair of Postwatch, and most recently the Peabody Trust. Her appointment at the BTPA will be for four years.

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

The Conservative Party has issued a report produced by its Border Security Advisory Committee, setting out high-level proposals for a new Border Protection Service. The Advisory Committee is one of a number of groups and taskforces set up by the Conservatives to examine specific areas of policy.

Commenting on the new report, the Chairman of the British Transport Police Authority, Sir Alistair Graham, said:

“The Border Security Advisory Committee’s package of proposals includes some interesting ideas which the Authority will want to look at in more detail. In particular, the suggestion that the British Transport Police’s involvement in port policing on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link could be amalgamated into a new Border Protection Service will need close examination.

“My understanding is that this proposal would only affect policing around the Tunnel portal and has an impact on only a few BTP officers. However, this raises the wider question of the possible need for such policing to be undertaken by a national, specialist force – a role that is currently fulfilled in respect of the railways by British Transport Police, which is used to policing in a commercial context and which has a national presence.”

The Advisory Committee recognises that extensive work will now need to be undertaken to develop its proposals further and that consultation with all of the organisations currently involved in border security will be an important part of this process. The BTPA would expect to be fully involved in discussions about the implications of the report’s recommendations.

The Policing Plan for 2008/09 has been published.

It is available to view on the Publications section of our website. It is split into each BTP area and there is a National Plan available for viewing along with a National Poster highlighting the targets for 2008/09.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has decided not to extend Sir Alistair Graham’s contract beyond the 30th September 2008.

Sir David O’Dowd, Deputy Chair, will take over as interim Chairman until a successor is appointed.

The DfT will be taking steps to recruit a successor.

Richard Hemmings

BTPA Chief Executive & Clerk