As we come to the end of another challenging year, on behalf of the Authority Members and BTPA Executive, I want to thank each and every one of you for all of your hard work and commitment. The past 12 months have shown once again that BTP is a resilient and professional force, and the positive feedback received from both Government and the industry reinforces this view. The work you undertake, whether it be on the front line or in support, is crucial and essential across Scotland, Wales and England.

During the year we welcomed a new Chief Constable, Lucy D’Orsi, and more recently a new Deputy Chief Constable, Alistair Sutherland. I believe that under their leadership the Force will develop further to achieve new heights and I urge you all to support them as they tackle the challenges and opportunities which the Force faces. In the past year, despite a constantly changing and uncertain environment, you all have risen admirably to the challenge, and have continued to provide the highest-possible standard of protection for passengers, rail staff and critical national infrastructure. In addition, I am proud of your continued successes achieved in multiple operations and initiatives across England, Wales and Scotland; notable amongst these achievements were the significant roles played by BTP at both COP26 in Glasgow and the G7 in Cornwall which drew praise from the “host” forces at these events.

I am also deeply grateful to those officers and staff working over the holiday period to keep rail staff and passengers safe during the festive season. It is very much appreciated.

I am also conscious that we ask much of you and I am also aware that your families and friends provide essential support to you: you do a difficult, complex and unfortunately sometimes dangerous job, and the support many of you are given by your families helps considerably with the challenges you must face. My thanks to all your families and friends for that support.

I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Ron Barclay-Smith

Chair, BTPA

From 15 September 2021, the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) has a new postal address:

British Transport Police Authority

British Transport Police FHQ

25 Camden Road

London

NW1 9LN

For general enquiries, please contact Elodie Hartup on 07900 394397 or [email protected].

On behalf of all at BTPA, we should like to recognise Dominic Booth’s contribution to the work of the Authority and thank him for his time and commitment for the past eight years. Dominic has provided insight and strategic guidance in a number of key areas, supporting the Authority, its staff and the Force (BTP) at every level.

Dominic’s knowledge and expertise has been drawn from his own extensive and successful career in the rail industry. He joined as a Board Member at Abellio Group in 2007 and in 2012 was appointed as Managing Director UK, after winning the Greater Anglia rail franchise. He is responsible for all of Abellio’s business in the UK and currently chairs the operating boards of the Abellio London and Surrey bus company and Merseyrail, Northern Rail and Greater Anglia train operating companies.

On behalf of all of us here at the Authority, we are grateful to Dominic for his sound views and opinion, and have appreciated his support in guiding both the Force and the Authority through the many challenges faced over the years in the rail and security industries.

 

Ron Barclay-Smith

Chair

 

The British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) today announced that Alistair Sutherland QPM has been appointed as Deputy Chief Constable of the British Transport Police (BTP).  He will join BTP in Autumn 2021.

Alistair is currently the Assistant Commissioner for City of London Police. BTP’s current Deputy Chief Constable Adrian Hanstock QPM is set to retire in October 2021 after 37 years of exemplary service to UK policing, the last seven of which have been with the Force.

Alistair joined the Metropolitan Police Service in 1986. He has worked across numerous London boroughs including Lambeth, Hounslow and Kensington and has expertise in policing major public order events and police firearms operations, security and response. He was promoted to Commander in July 2014 following successful completion of the Strategic Command Course, and took on the role of Commander for Royalty, Diplomatic and Specialist Protection. During this time, he led on the amalgamation of the Protection commands resulting in the introduction of Royalty and Specialist Protection and Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection commands.

Alistair joined City of London Police in 2016 and currently holds the National policing portfolios for Business Crime, Community Safety Accreditation Scheme, Private Security Industry and Project Servator. He is the national lead for Counter Terrorism Command and Control and is also a Course Director of the Counter Terrorism Commander’s Course.

Alistair says: “I feel absolutely delighted and privileged to be joining BTP as Deputy Chief Constable at what is a really exciting time for the Force. I very much look forward to working with the Chief Constable and all BTP colleagues nationally to deliver the best possible service to all our communities across the rail network and keep them safe. BTP are, quite rightly, highly regarded as a Force and are recognised as national and world leaders in their field of Policing. I am committed to enhancing that well-deserved reputation through working closely with colleagues and our partners to deliver all of the ambitions described in our Policing Plan.”

BTPA Chair, Ron Barclay-Smith, says: “Alistair’s considerable expertise and wide-ranging experience across all levels of policing will serve him well at a time when BTP is facing multiple challenges amid a complex operating environment. We welcome him on board and believe that his leadership, insight and acumen will complement that of the Chief Constable, driving BTP forward to achieve an even greater level of excellence.”

BTP Chief Constable, Lucy D’Orsi, says: “I am delighted that the Police Authority have appointed Alistair to be the Deputy Chief Constable of BTP. Alistair is an exceptionally experienced senior police leader who cares passionately about delivering a high quality service to the public and supporting his colleagues. I am certain that his dedication and extensive experience in both operational and organisational leadership will bring great value to the Force.

I know Alistair is keen to build on the legacy that Adrian Hanstock leaves. We owe Adrian a deep gratitude for his exceptional leadership and commitment to public service and I am personally grateful for his support and wisdom since I have been Chief Constable.

BTP is a truly outstanding national police force with many exciting challenges and opportunities ahead of us. I look forward to working with Alistair.”

Alistair was chosen following an interview and assessment process led by BTPA, the oversight body for the BTP. The appointment was approved by the Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps MP and endorsed by Scottish Justice Minister Keith Brown  MSP.

 

The British Transport Police Fund Annual Report and Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2021 has been formally laid before the UK Parliament. This document constitutes the British Transport Police Authority’s Annual Report and includes a performance report, accountability report and financial statements.

The Annual Report can be downloaded here.