Officials from UK and Scottish Government joined senior passenger and rail industry representatives in London last week to discuss the future of policing Great Britain’s railways and the current issues affecting the British Transport Police (BTP) and rail (24 September).

Invited guests, including representatives from Transport Focus, TfL, Rail Delivery Group (RDG) and freight and train operating companies were attending the British Transport Police Authority’s (BTPA) Annual Industry Workshop where a clear message of collaboration and a willingness to engage threaded through talks delivered on the day.

Opening the event, acting Chair of the BTPA Brian Phillpott reminded guests of the commitments the Authority had made at last year’s event and confirmed that the Authority is still guided by those principles which were designed as a result of industry feedback.

Setting the scene for policing, the Chief Constable of BTP Paul Crowther shared with guests the complexities and challenges of policing a major transport system which unlike other transport hubs, cannot adopt airport style security measures and yet would result in massive disruption costing society billions if under terrorist attack. During this period of heightened security the Chief discussed how it is more important than ever to work with industry to prepare and develop plans. Reinforcing the theme of collaboration, the chief reminded delegates that the ambition of the Authority and the Force is for BTP to be the supplier of choice and not just a service that the rail industry has to fund. Pointing to the value the BTP adds to the rail industry, Paul discussed the additional functions performed by the Force that do not constitute core policing yet saves industry and society billions each year. These value added services, such as preventing trespass or suicides, were picked up later in a presentation by the Chief Executive of BTPA Andrew Figgures who discussed the Force’s budget.

Andrew encouraged industry to consider how much it values the performance of these additional duties – which fall outside the realm of statutory policing – and as such could be compromised by government cuts. He invited guests to engage with the Authority and the Force to better understand the issue and the potential impact on a service that has been collaboratively fine-tuned over the last decade.

Guests were also invited to get involved in consultation kicking off next month that will be used to design the plans and priorities for policing in 2016/17. Liz France Deputy Chair of the Authority highlighted how the 2015/16 policing plans evidenced the strong correlation between industry requests and a Force and Authority response. This included the delivery of local problem solving plans and a breakdown of the deployment of Force resources across the rail network and Liz appealed for active industry engagement this year. The wider issue of a government review, which could mean the scrapping of police targets, was also raised by the deputy chair who encouraged industry to talk to the Authority about this matter to determine whether targets are still the right approach for the rail community. This was followed up by a presentation by RDG who described the work it was doing to assist and support policing and security on the railways.

Before closing the annual workshop Brian, who had chaired a lively Q&A with industry guests and speakers said: “We welcome the challenges and input from industry today as it improves relationships and the services we deliver.”

To compliment upcoming policing plan consultation, industry heads of security will be sent a survey later in the year to help better understand their needs for policing in 2016/17 and to measure how they feel the Authority and the Force have performed over the last 12 months.

BTPA Chair Brian added: “I am confident that guests who attended this year’s event will take back the message that both the Authority and the Force are eager to continue to do business and provide a service that is backed and directed by the people who use it.”

Click on the links below to view slides from the event:

Paul Crowther Chief Constable, BTP: Policing update

Liz France Deputy Chair, BTPA: Policing plan 2016/17

Andrew Figgures Chief Executive, BTPA: Impact of Spending Review 2015

Andy Odell, RDG: One year on

Talks with the UK’s rail industry began this week with the British Transport Police Authority and BTP embarking on nationwide consultation to determine the priorities for policing Great Britain’s trains and stations next year.

Events are taking place across the country with invited senior representatives from train and freight operating companies, Scottish government, Rail Delivery Group and Transport Focus discussing what BTP will need to focus on next year in order to assist in the safe and smooth running of the country’s rail network.

So far talks, which kicked off in Birmingham on Monday, have included identifying opportunities to improve how BTP supports staff and focusing on activities that increase confidence as well as maintaining a focus on increasing the identification of the perpetrators of crime.

Rail industry colleagues who have attended events so far, including Andy Cooper MD of CrossCountry and Virgin Trains Executive Director Phil Bearpark, have expressed a real appetite to work alongside BTP as delivery partners to assist in the intelligent deployment of police and industry resources and the sharing of information to direct those deployments.

To ensure a broad range of views are taken on board this year’s consultation coincides with BTP’s passenger consultation, which is seeing local police teams out and about asking commuters and rail staff ‘what matters to you?’ when it comes to policing. Feedback from both sets of consultation will be used to set the priorities for rail policing in 2016/17.

Consultation with the UK’s rail industry and Scottish & Welsh representatives closes on 13 November and will be followed up by a draft of policing priorities which the rail industry will comment on in the New Year. BTP’s passenger consultation ends 23 November.

You can keep updated on the progress on the plans for policing Great Britain’s railways 2016/17 or if you work in the rail industry and are interested in attending an event please get in touch.

View the latest policing plans.

Esther McVey has been appointed as the new Chair of the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA), for a four year term.

The new Chair will play a vital role in setting the strategic direction of the BTPA to ensure that the British Transport Police (BTP) – which polices Britain’s rail network – is an efficient and effective force that provides excellent service, maintains the security of the transport network, and delivers value for money for the taxpayer.

Esther, who officially takes up her post today, got a taste of her new role when she briefly visited BTP’s offices with the Secretary of State for Transport Patrick McLoughlin yesterday. Esther and Patrick met the Chief Constable of BTP Paul Crowther and discussed transport safety as well as touring BTP’s CCTV facilities.

As part of her role, Esther McVey will work with the BTP to oversee transport security and to tackle the issue of sexual violence on the rail network.

The appointment was made by Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin following an independent selection process.

Patrick McLoughlin said:

“The security of the travelling public has never been more important and Esther McVey will bring considerable skills to this vital task. Although Britain has one of the safest railways in Europe we face increasing risks that mean there can be no room for complacency. The British Transport Police do a fantastic job keeping passengers safe and secure and I am confident that under Esther’s guidance that record can continue.”

Responding to the announcement Andrew Figgures Chief Executive of the Authority said:

“I congratulate Esther on her success in being appointed Chair of the BTPA.

“She will provide strong leadership to the Authority in governing BTP so that it delivers value for money by achieving its strategic goals of reducing disruption and crime whilst increasing passenger confidence within a tight budget.”

New Chair of BTPA Esther McVey added:

“With more and more people using the railways, the role of the British Transport Police in allowing people to travel safely is more important than ever.  I am delighted to have been appointed Chair of the Police Authority and am honoured to be taking up this role. I look forward to playing my part in building on the excellent work the British Transport Police does.”

Chief Constable Paul Crowther said:

 “I welcome Esther as the new Chair of the BTPA. She joins us at an exciting and challenging time as the Force delivers a significant change programme to enable us to achieve our strategic objectives of reducing crime and disruption and increasing confidence levels.

“I met Esther yesterday when she visited our CCTV hub with the Secretary of State for Transport and I look forward to working with her as we build on our specialist approach to meet the current and future challenges of policing the rail network.”

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

British Transport Police (BTP) is the specialist police force serving the railways across England, Wales & Scotland.  Rail transport is flourishing, with significant expansion of infrastructure and continued increases in passengers and freight.  Working in partnership with the industry, BTP delivers a networked, responsive, innovative and visible policing service to ensure the safety, security and reliability of the rail and underground network and all who use it.

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 

BTPA ACC Appointment Pack

Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form

Applications for this position close at 11.59pm Sunday 13 September 2015.

Contact information

If you have any questions about the application process please contact Iggi Falcon on 020 7387 3810 or email iggi.falcon@btp.pnn.police.uk.

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 BTP has launched its latest #WhatMatters consultation campaign.

Members of the public can let  BTP know what matters to them in policing the railways and help shape policy by completing an online survey.

Andrew Figgures is to retire as Chief Executive of the British Transport Police Authority at the end of December after nearly seven years in the appointment following his 41 year career in the Army. Esther McVey, Chairman of the BTPA said,  “I am grateful to Andrew for extending his tenure at the Authority’s request to provide continuity during my first year as Chairman.  He will be greatly missed by the Force and the industry not least because of his many achievements and the manner with which he has dealt with all involved.”  He will hand over to Charlotte Vitty, the Deputy Chief Executive and Treasurer who will act as Interim Chief Executive whilst the Authority recruits a permanent replacement.

Charlotte Vitty, Interim Chief Executive of BTPA, and Deputy Chief Constable Adrian Hanstock attended the Transport Select Committee at the House of Commons on Monday 16 January 2017 to give evidence on tackling crime on the railways and future challenges.

Topics raised by the Committee included counter terrorism, the changing railway environment, the Infrastructure Policing Review and Scotland, safeguarding vulnerable individuals, mental health issues and the budget.

If you would like to watch the session click here.

Five new Authority members have been appointed to the BTPA by the Department for Transport. Businessman William Gallagher, chartered accountant Shrinivas Honap, experienced strategist Jeremy Mayhew, retired chief constable Martin Richards and human resources expert Beverley Shears have been appointed to the BTPA board joining the current members.

Esther McVey, Chairman of the British Transport Police Authority said:

“I am delighted to welcome the new members to the BTPA. Each of them brings their own area of specific and essential expertise, as well as fresh insight, to the established Authority. I look forward to working with them at this busy and exciting time for the Authority, when the rail sector is not only growing but also facing a range of new and developing policing pressures.”

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said:

“We are delivering the biggest rail modernisation programme for more than a century to improve services and provide passengers with faster and more comfortable trains. British Transport Police will play a major role in delivering our vision for a growing and sustainable railway.  I am confident the newly-refreshed team will provide the strategic direction the force needs to offer even better value to the rail industry and the taxpayer while fighting crime, reducing disruption and keeping the network safe for passengers and rail staff alike.”

Mark Phillips has been appointed as the new deputy chairman of the BTPA. Mark, who has been a board member of the BTPA since 2013, replaces Brian Phillpott, who left last year. Mark is also currently Chief Executive Officer at the Rail Safety and Standards Board. He has 30 years’ experience in the rail industry starting at British Rail Western Region in Swindon in 1986, his career includes working at Network Rail as Regional Director for Anglia and as Deputy Managing Director for the Greater Anglia franchise.

The British Transport Police Authority is seeking a new Chief Executive Officer. It is a demanding time to be involved in policing the railways. The industry is growing rapidly with an expanding infrastructure, rise in passenger journeys and the commercialisation of many stations, combined with the evolving terrorist threat and change in demands on police make this role an interesting challenge.

Accountable to the Chairman, the CEO’s role is to provide strategic leadership of the BTPA’s executive team and effective stewardship of public funds in accordance with the highest standards of corporate governance, decision-making and financial management.

For more information, including how to apply, click here. If you have any questions please call Tom Webb-Skinner on 07917 271 444. Applications close at 23:59, 12 March.

We are excited to share with you the interim plans for policing Great Britain’s railways in 2017/18. For train operating companies, the travelling public and railway staff these plans will be central to ensuring everyone’s safety and keeping everything moving. We have worked closely with the Chief Constable, his senior team, the rail industry and passenger groups, as well as surveying rail staff and passengers, to ensure that the commitments we have agreed meet the demands around policing the rail network.

We’ve developed a national picture of key policing issues that cut across rail boundaries and regions devising seven commitments areas for the Force to work towards. We’ve also put in place local plans with divisional commitments driven by consultation with passengers and the rail industry at a local level.

This year’s plans look a little different as they mark a move away from a target based approach to a series of commitments made that will continue to deliver on the core objectives of reducing crime, tackling disruption and increasing confidence.

20:20:10, the strategy set in 2013, has achieved significant positive changes in BTP enabling it to focus on developing the right behaviours to tackle crime, reduce disruption and boost passenger confidence. The challenges involved in policing the railways are constantly changing so we must remain agile to meet the demands of the environment in which we operate. With this in mind, 20:20:10 will no longer be the key measure of success, as we move to a more comprehensive way of measuring performance whilst maintaining focus on tackling crime, disruption and confidence. We will be working through the year with industry partners to refine the measures we use to assess performance against the commitments.

The full version of the plans will be available later in the year.

Charlotte Vitty has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of the British Transport Police Authority. Most recently Charlotte has been working as the Acting Chief Executive since January, having been Finance Director for the previous two years. A qualified accountant, Charlotte has over 15 years’ experience in both private practice and the commercial market.

She spent five years with PwC working primarily with entrepreneurs and private equity Boards as an audit senior manager, covering a multitude of industries from web based service providers Ebay and Jobserve, to fashion retailers Jigsaw and Phase Eight. After leaving PwC, Charlotte joined Instant Group as the Financial Director where she worked alongside the founder and MD to grow the business.

Esther McVey, Chairman of the BTPA said, “I am delighted to announce that Charlotte Vitty has been offered and accepted the role of Chief Executive of the British Transport Police Authority. Despite stiff competition from the other applicants, Charlotte’s experience and skills marked her out as the best candidate.

“The BTPA has a very demanding workload at the moment but I am confident that Charlotte has all the required skills and is more than capable of achieving success. Most recently, she has proved herself during her time as Acting Chief Executive and I am sure she will be very successful in the role.”

Esther McVey has formally resigned her position as Chairman of the BTPA following her selection as the Conservative Party candidate for the Tatton Constituency in the upcoming General Election.

Mark Phillips, the current Deputy Chairman, Mark Phillips, the current Deputy Chairman, will be fulfilling the duties of Chairman until a permanent replacement can be appointed.

We at the British Transport Police Authority are immensely proud of the response by BTP officers and staff to the Manchester bomb and the aftermath.  We continue to be impressed by the manner in which they have dealt with the increase in pressure and workload as a result of this event and the subsequent temporary raising of the threat level to critical.  The Force has demonstrated its professionalism and expertise, with many going above and beyond. The Authority fully supports the Chief Constable and senior team and we have full confidence in the Force’s work – we thank them for all their hard work and dedication. It is gratifying to know that the public shares this view as we see from the raft of positive feedback that BTP has received from social media.

In the wake of events like this it is especially important that BTP and other police forces provide the reassuring presence that only uniformed officers on patrol can. The combination of officers being visible, while being vigilant and approachable gives people travelling the confidence to go about their day to day lives as normally as possible.

Mark Phillips
Deputy Chairman

Charlotte Vitty
Chief Executive

Today the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) has issued the full versions of the National and Division Plans for policing the railways in 2017-18. These new look plans are in the form of seven National Commitments, supported by a broad range of performance indicators.

The core strategic objective remain tackling crime, reducing disruption and promoting confidence while delivering value for money but these plans mark a move away from a strategy that was in danger of taking police away from where we, in consultation with passengers, staff and train operators, believe they are needed most, in order to pursue numerical targets that may not in reality contribute to one of the core strategic objectives to a new strategy that will provide BTP and the Authority the flexibility to meet the evolving demands of policing Britain’s expanding railway networks and the ability to provide meaningful performance results.

BTP’s seven National Commitments for 2017-18:

• Counter terrorism
• Preventing crime
• Protecting vulnerable people
• Supporting the railways
• Supporting and valuing our workforce
• Building confidence and satisfaction
• Improving effectiveness and efficiency

The BTPA, which oversees the work of British Transport Police (BTP), has worked closely with BTP, representatives of the rail industry and passengers to produce this year’s Policing Plans.  The BTPA has taken on board the feedback received from more than 7,000 rail passengers and staff collected via the National Rail Passenger survey and BTP’s own public consultation. These new look plans form the first step in revisiting the Authority’s overall strategy for the BTP, as we move to a new one for 2018-2021. The Authority will be carrying out a lot of work to prepare a new three year strategy to ensure an effective and efficient British Transport Police for the future and we will be consulting on this in the autumn.

Mark Phillips, Interim Chair of the BTPA said: “On behalf of the Authority I am pleased to be able to share with you these new look Policing Plans set out how BTP plan to tackle crime, reduce disruption and promote confidence on the railway networks over the next 12 months. With the adoption of performance indicators BTP will be able to demonstrate clearly the work it is doing the effect it is having against the National and Divisional Commitments.

“This new approach will provide BTP and the Authority the flexibility to meet the evolving demands of policing Britain’s expanding railway networks and the ability to provide meaningful performance results.”

The Chief Constable of BTP, Paul Crowther added: “We are moving towards a culture that encourages and supports our people to focus on preventing crime and on the needs of victims and witnesses.”

View the National Policing Plans here

B Division

C Division

D Division

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Mark Phillips has taken up the role of Interim Chairman of the BTPA after the resignation of Esther McVey, who left to stand for Parliament.

Mark, who is also CEO of RSSB, will be supported by Len Jackson as Interim Deputy Chairman and will fulfil the duties until a new permanent Chairman is appointed.

The post Mark Phillips takes up role of Interim Chair appeared first on British Transport Police Authority.

The BTPA is looking for a new Assistant Chief Constable for British Transport Police. The successful applicant will be someone who understands the operational and commercial factors surrounding the work BTP does, the environment we do it in and the varied and evolving challenges that we face. They will be able to build on the excellent performance of others to achieve our objectives to keep the public safe and deliver the best service for victims, witnesses and the vulnerable.

Candidate pack

Equal opportunities monitoring form

British Transport Police is unique. We are a national police force, working closely with the rail industry to ensure the safety and security of nearly 3 billion passenger journeys and over 100 million tons of freight every year across the rail network throughout Great Britain, including London Underground. The world in which we work is fast-paced, operationally and commercially demanding and constantly changing.

We will reward you for the experience you will bring to this role with a salary of up to £110,148 per annum, a comprehensive benefits package including family healthcare and car allowance, as well as an assurance that we will endeavour to ensure no detriment to pension benefits accrued in the Home Office 30 year scheme.

If you are ambitious and can demonstrate you have the skills to meet this role, we want to hear from you. If your application would benefit from an initial informal conversation with us please contact Tom Webb-Skinner on 07917 271 444 or for more information visit www.btp.police.uk/acc2017 .

The closing date for applications is 09.00 7 July 2017.

BTP has a strategic commitment to ensuring that our workforce is as diverse as the community it serves and welcomes applications from all suitable candidates

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The British Transport Police Fund Annual Report and Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2017 was formally laid before the UK Parliament this afternoon. 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.

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The BTPA is currently looking for applicants for the position of Chair of the Authority.

The Secretary of State for Transport is looking to appoint a new Chair who, by building on the strong record of the previous Chair, can provide effective and visible leadership skills which results in the delivery of strong outcomes for the railway. At a critical time for our national security, the new Chair will be responsible for ensuring that the BTPA supports and challenges the BTP so that it maximises its essential contribution to the security of Great Britain’s railways.

The Chair will also be responsible for leading the BTPA through an orderly and timely transfer of the BTP’s functions in Scotland to Police Scotland by April 2019 and for ensuring that the BTP engages positively with the challenge set by the 2015 Spending Review to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the BTP without any negative impacts on the operational effectiveness of the Force.

The British Transport Police (BTP) is the police force for the railways, providing an essential policing service to rail operators, their staff and passengers. As a public body, the specialist British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) holds the BTP to account for the delivery of this vital police service, ensuring its effectiveness and efficiency.

You will need to have a credible track record of driving forward change and improving performance, particularly through constructive challenge and effective decision-making. You should also be a strong communicator who, as well as being able to engage with the public, is able to establish personal credibility with a complex range of stakeholders, including crucially with those operating in the political, commercial and media environments.

For more information, including how to apply, click here for the appointment brief. For the supporting information form, click here. If you have any further questions, please call Laverne Bryant on 020 7388 2643. Applications should arrive no later than noon on 15 September 2017.

£32,000 for circa 60 days over a year – London

Preferred starting date: late 2017/early 2018

Interviews are expected to be held during October/November 2017.

The BTPA values equality and diversity in employment and a socially inclusive transport system.

We want the organisation to be as diverse as the community it serves. We welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of their race, ethnic or national origin, gender, disability, marital status, age, religion or belief, sexual orientation or working pattern.

The post BTPA seeks new chair appeared first on British Transport Police Authority.

The Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling, has agreed the reappointment of three members of the British Transport Police Authority. Dominic Booth, Andrew Pollins and Stella Thomas, who are coming to the end of their first terms as Authority members, will now serve a further four years from the expiry of their current terms.

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