You do not have permission to edit this page, for the following reasons:

This IP address has been blocked from editing Wikipedia.
This does not affect your ability to read Wikipedia pages.
Most people who see this message have done nothing wrong. Some kinds of blocks restrict editing from specific service providers or telecom companies in response to recent abuse or vandalism, and can sometimes affect other users who are unrelated to that abuse. Review the information below for assistance if you do not believe that you have done anything wrong.

The IP address or range 44.197.0.0/16 has been blocked (disabled) by ‪Blablubbs‬ for the following reason(s):

The IP address that you are currently using has been blocked because it is believed to be a web host provider or colocation provider. To prevent abuse, web hosts and colocation providers may be blocked from editing Wikipedia.
You will not be able to edit Wikipedia using a web host or colocation provider because it hides your IP address, much like a proxy or VPN.
We recommend that you attempt to use another connection to edit. For example, if you use a proxy or VPN to connect to the internet, turn it off when editing Wikipedia. If you edit using a mobile connection, try using a Wi-Fi connection, and vice versa. If you are using a corporate internet connection, switch to a different Wi-Fi network. If you have a Wikipedia account, please log in.
If you do not have any other way to edit Wikipedia, you will need to request an IP block exemption.

How to appeal if you are confident that your connection does not use a colocation provider's IP address:
If you are confident that you are not using a web host, you may appeal this block by adding the following text on your talk page: ((unblock|reason=Caught by a colocation web host block but this host or IP is not a web host. My IP address is _______. Place any further information here. ~~~~)). You must fill in the blank with your IP address for this block to be investigated. Your IP address can be determined here. Alternatively, if you wish to keep your IP address private you can use the unblock ticket request system. There are several reasons you might be editing using the IP address of a web host or colocation provider (such as if you are using VPN software or a business network); please use this method of appeal only if you think your IP address is in fact not a web host or colocation provider.

Administrators: The IP block exemption user right should only be applied to allow users to edit using web host in exceptional circumstances, and requests should usually be directed to the functionaries team via email. If you intend to give the IPBE user right, a CheckUser needs to take a look at the account. This can be requested most easily at SPI Quick Checkuser Requests. Unblocking an IP or IP range with this template is highly discouraged without at least contacting the blocking administrator.

This block will expire on 10:52, 20 August 2024.

Even when blocked, you will usually still be able to edit your user talk page, as well as email administrators and other editors.

For information on how to proceed, please read the FAQ for blocked users and the guideline on block appeals. The guide to appealing blocks may also be helpful.

Other useful links: Blocking policy · Help:I have been blocked
Your IP address is in a range that has been blocked on all Wikimedia Foundation wikis. The block was made by ‪AntiCompositeNumber‬. The reason given is Open proxy/Webhost: Visit the FAQ if you are affected .
- Start of block: 13:55, 18 August 2022
- Expiry of block: 13:55, 18 November 2024
Your current IP address is 44.197.119.13. The blocked range is 44.197.0.0/16. Please include all above details in any queries you make. If you believe you were blocked by mistake, you can find additional information and instructions in the No open proxies global policy. Otherwise, to discuss the block please post a request for review on Meta-Wiki. You could also send an email to the stewards VRT queue at stewards@wikimedia.org including all above details.

You can view and copy the source of this page:

((Short description|Police force responsible for railways in England, Wales and Scotland))
((Use British English|date=March 2012))
((Use dmy dates|date=May 2020))

((Infobox law enforcement agency
| agencyname     = British Transport Police<br />((lang-cy|Heddlu Trafnidiaeth Prydeinig))
| nativename     = 
| abbreviation   = BTP
| patch          = 
| patchcaption   = 
| logo           = British Transport Police Logo.svg
| logocaption    = Logo of the British Transport Police
| badge          = 
| badgecaption   = 
| flag           = 
| flagcaption    = 
| motto          = 
| mottotranslated = 
| formedyear     = ((Start date|1949|01|01|df=y))
| preceding1     = Great Western Railway Police
| preceding2     = London and North Eastern Railway Police
| preceding3     = London, Midland and Scottish Railway Police
| preceding4     = Southern Railway Police
| preceding5     = London Transport Police
| employees      = 
| volunteers     = 
| budget         = £328.1 million (2021/22)<ref>((cite report |publisher=[[British Transport Police Authority]] |date=2022 |title=BTPA Strategic Plan 2018-22 |url= https://btpa.police.uk/?news-article=btpa-launches-refreshed-strategic-plan-2018-2022 |page=24 |docket= |access-date=3 March 2022|quote=))</ref>
| legalpersonality = 
| country        = England, Wales and Scotland
| countryabbr    = GB
| national       = Yes
| map            = [[File:Map of British Transport Police divisions in the United Kingdom.svg|130px|center|((legend|#0059be|D Division))((legend|#008dbe|C Division))((legend|#00c5b9|B Division))]]
| mapcaption     = Jurisdiction of the British Transport Police
| sizearea       = ((convert|10000|mi|km)) of track and more than 3,000 railway stations and depots.
| sizepopulation = Over eight million passengers daily<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.btp.police.uk/ |title=British Transport Police (BTP) home |publisher=Btp.police.uk |date=2014-02-12 |access-date=2014-02-19))</ref>
| legaljuris     = ((blist|[[England and Wales]]|[[Scotland]]))
| governingbody  = British Transport Police Authority
| governingbodyscnd = 
| constitution1  = British Transport Commission Act 1949
| constitution2  = Transport Police (Jurisdiction) Act 1994
| constitution3  = [[Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003]]
| police         = Yes
| speciality1    = rail
| overviewtype   = police authority
| overviewbody   = [[British Transport Police Authority]]<!--reference commented to allow for auto wikilinking: http://btpa.police.uk/ -->
| headquarters   = 25 [[Camden Road]] <br /> [[London]] <br /> NW1 9LN<ref>((cite web |title=Department contact details |url=https://www.btp.police.uk/contact_us/btp_departments.aspx |website=British Transport Police |access-date=29 November 2019))</ref><br />
((Coord|51.5408|-0.1398|type:landmark_region:GB|display=title,inline))
| hqlocmap       = 
| hqlocmapwidth  = 
| hqlocmapheight = 
| hqlocmapborder = 
| hqlocleft      = 
| hqloctop       = 
| hqlocmappoptitle = 
| sworntype      = Police Constable
| sworn          = 3,113<ref name="gov.uk">((cite report |date=26 January 2022 |title=Police Workforce, England and Wales: 30 September 2021 |url= https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/police-workforce-england-and-wales-30-september-2021 |publisher=Home Office |page= |docket= |access-date=3 March 2022|quote=))</ref>
| unsworntype   = [[Police community support officer|PCSO]]
| unsworn        = 251<ref name="gov.uk"/>
| chief1name     = [[Lucy D’Orsi]]
| chief1position = [[Chief Constable]]<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.btp.police.uk/about_us/our_people/chief_constable.aspx|title=Chief Constable|website=Btp.police.uk|access-date=17 February 2019))</ref>
| chief2name     = Adrian Hanstock
| chief2position = [[Deputy chief constable]]
| chief3name     = Sean O'Callaghan
| chief3position = [[Assistant chief constable]]
| chief4name     = Charlie Doyle
| chief4position = [[Assistant chief constable]]
| unittype       = 
| unitname       = 
| officetype     = Division
| officename     = ((ubl|[[#A Division|A Division]]|[[#B Division|B Division]]|[[#C Division|C Division]]|[[#D Division|D Division]]|[[#E Division|E Division]]))
| stationtype    = 
| stations       = 88
| lock-uptype    = 
| lock-ups       = 
| vehicle1type   = 
| vehicles1      = 
| person1name    = 
| person1reason  = 
| person1type    = 
| programme1     = 
| activity1name  = 
| activitytype   = 
| anniversary1   = 
| award1         = 
| website        = ((Official URL))
| footnotes      = 
| reference      = 
))

'''British Transport Police''' ('''BTP'''; ((lang-cy|Heddlu Trafnidiaeth Prydeinig))) is a national [[special police force]]<ref>((cite web |url=http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/content.aspx?LegType=All+Legislation&title=serious+organised+crime&searchEnacted=0&extentMatchOnly=0&confersPower=0&blanketAmendment=0&sortAlpha=0&TYPE=QS&PageNumber=1&NavFrom=0&parentActiveTextDocId=2086243&ActiveTextDocId=2086252&filesize=4252 |title=s.3(5) Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 |website=Statutelaw.gov.uk |access-date=8 June 2009))</ref> that polices the railway network of [[England]], [[Wales]] and [[Scotland]]. The force polices more than 10,000 miles of track and more than 3,000 stations and depots. 

BTP also polices the [[London Underground]], [[Docklands Light Railway]], the [[West Midlands Metro]], [[Tramlink]], part of the [[Tyne and Wear Metro]], [[Glasgow Subway]] and the [[London Cable Car]].

The force is funded primarily by the rail industry.<ref name=":1">((cite web|date=2019-06-21|title=British Transport Police's response to the funding challenge|url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/332065/btp-response-to-the-funding-challenge.pdf))</ref>

== Jurisdiction ==
((More citations needed section|date=February 2021))
[[File:London Police Dogs.jpg|thumb|BTP officers patrolling with dogs at [[London Waterloo railway station|Waterloo station]]]]
As well as having jurisdiction across the [[Rail transport in Great Britain|national rail network]], the BTP is also responsible for policing:
*[[Tramlink|Croydon Tramlink]]
*[[Docklands Light Railway]]
*[[London Cable Car]]
*[[Glasgow Subway]]
*[[London Underground]]
*[[Tyne and Wear Metro]] (Sunderland branch)<ref name = npcc >((cite web | url = https://northumbria-pcc.gov.uk/kim-mcguinness-announces-metro-to-get-security-teams-on-the-majority-of-evening-train-services/ | date = 19 May 2023 | title = Kim McGuinness announces Metro to get security teams on the majority of evening train services | publisher = Northumbria Police & Crime Commissioner | access-date = 5 June 2023))</ref>
*[[West Midlands Metro]]

This amounts to around ((convert|10000|mi)) of track and more than 3,000 railway stations and depots. There are more than one billion passenger journeys annually on the main lines alone.<ref name="Transport Statistics Great Britain: 2021">((cite web |title=Transport Statistics Great Britain: 2021 |url=https://app.clickup.com/t/1zqf57r |website=gov.uk |access-date=11 March 2022))</ref>

In addition, BTP, in conjunction with the [[National Police (France)|French National Police]] (under the Border Police unit) – ((lang|fr|[[Direction centrale de la police aux frontières|Police aux Frontières]])) – police the international services operated by [[Eurostar]].<ref>
((cite web |title=BTP site "About Us"|url=http://www.btp.police.uk/about.htm|access-date=17 July 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071215160459/http://www.btp.police.uk/about.htm |archive-date = 15 December 2007))
</ref>

BTP is not responsible for policing the majority of the [[Tyne and Wear Metro]], which is instead policed by [[Northumbria Police]]'s Metro Unit,<ref name = npcc /> nor the entirety of the [[Manchester Metrolink]] (policed by [[Greater Manchester Police]]). BTP also does not police [[List of British heritage and private railways|heritage railway]]s.

A BTP constable can act as a police constable outside their normal railway jurisdiction as described in the "[[#Powers and status of officers|Powers and status of officers]]" section.

===Previous jurisdiction===
BTP constables previously had jurisdiction at docks, ports, harbours and inland waterways, as well at some bus stations and [[British Transport Hotels]]. These roles fell away in 1985 with privatisation. The legislation was amended to reflect this in 1994.<ref>((cite web |title= Transport Police (Jurisdiction) Act 1994 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1994/8/introduction/enacted|access-date=31 August 2020))</ref>

== History ==
[[File:Flickr - Duncan~ - Police.jpg|thumb|BTP Police station "blue lamp"]]

=== Foundation ===
The first railway employees described as "police" can be traced back to 30 June 1826. A regulation of the [[Stockton and Darlington Railway]] refers to the police establishment of "One Superintendent, four officers and numerous gate-keepers". This is the first mention of railway police anywhere and was three years before the [[Metropolitan Police Act 1829|Metropolitan Police Act]] was passed. They were not, however, described as "constables" and the description may refer to men controlling the trains rather than enforcing the law. Specific reference to "constables" rather than mere "policemen" is made by the BTP website article "A History of Policing the Railway"<ref>((cite web |title=A History of Policing the Railway |url=http://www.btp.police.uk/History%20Society/Publications/History%20Society/The%20history/Printable/History%20of%20Policing%20the%20Railway%20Printable.htm |website=British Transport Police |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070605144555/http://www.btp.police.uk/History%20Society/Publications/History%20Society/The%20history/Printable/History%20of%20Policing%20the%20Railway%20Printable.htm |archive-date=5 June 2007))</ref> which states "The London, Birmingham and Liverpool Railway Companion of 1838 reports 'Each Constable, besides being in the employ of the company, is sworn as a County Constable.'" Further reference is made by the BTP<ref>((cite web |title=The Scottish Railway Police |url=http://www.btp.police.uk/History%20Society/Publications/History%20Society/Constituent%20Force/Scottish%20Railway%20Police/THE%20SCOTTISH%20RAILWAY%20POLICE.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070529211446/http://www.btp.police.uk/History%20Society/Publications/History%20Society/Constituent%20Force/Scottish%20Railway%20Police/THE%20SCOTTISH%20RAILWAY%20POLICE.htm |archive-date=29 May 2007 |website=British Transport Police))</ref> to "an Act of 1838...which according to J. R. Whitbread in ''The Railway Policeman''' <!--This is part of the quote, do not convert it to a reference-->(Harrap, 1961)<!--This is part of the quote, do not convert it to a reference--> was the first legislation to provide for any form of policing of the railway whilst under construction, i.e. to protect the public from the navvies more or less."

The modern British Transport Police was formed by the British Transport Commission Act 1949<ref>((cite web |url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1994/8/contents/data.htm |title=Transport Police (Jurisdiction) Act 1994 |website=Legislation.gov.uk |access-date=17 February 2019))</ref> which combined the already-existing police forces inherited from the pre-nationalisation railways by [[British Railways]], those forces having been previously formed by powers available under [[common law]] to [[parishes]], landowners and other bodies to appoint [[constable]]s to patrol land and/or property under their control.((citation needed|date=December 2020)) This is distinct from the establishment of a police force by statute, as applicable to the [[Metropolitan Police]] in 1829; BTP did not have jurisdiction on a statutory basis until the enactment of the Transport Police (Jurisdiction) Act 1994,<ref>((cite web |title=Transport Police (Jurisdiction) Act 1994 |website=Statutelaw.gov.uk |url=http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/content.aspx?LegType=All+Legislation&Year=1994&number=8&searchEnacted=0&extentMatchOnly=0&confersPower=0&blanketAmendment=0&sortAlpha=0&TYPE=QS&PageNumber=1&NavFrom=0&parentActiveTextDocId=1390154&ActiveTextDocId=1390154&filesize=19507 |date=24 March 1994 |access-date=8 June 2009))</ref> which was subsequently amended by the [[Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003]].<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/en2003/03en20-a.htm |title=Explanatory Notes to Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 – Background – paragraph 59 |website=Opsi.gov.uk |date=11 August 2003 |access-date=8 June 2009))</ref>

====''Policeman'' versus ''constable''====
Some early-19th-century references to "railway police" or "policemen" do not concern constables but instead describe the men responsible for the signalling and control of the movement of trains (it is still common [[colloquial]] practice within railway staff for their modern equivalents in signal boxes and signalling centres to be called "Bobbies"). These personnel carried out their duties mostly in the open beside the track and were often dressed in a similar manner (e.g. a top hat and frock coat) to early police constables but were not directly concerned with law enforcement. Historical references (including those originating from the BTP itself) to when the first group of true "constables" was organised to patrol a railway should be treated with caution. This warning is repeated by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) webpage dealing with MPS records of service which on the matter of records of other forces held by the [[Public Record Office]] (now the [[The National Archives (United Kingdom)|National Archives]]) states: "The occasional references to 'Police Department' in the railway staff records relate to signalmen etc., although some were simultaneously county constables."<ref>((cite web |author=Metropolitan Police |url=http://www.met.police.uk/history/records.htm |title=Metropolitan Police Records of Service |website=Metropolitan Police |access-date=2014-02-19 |archive-date=11 July 2006 |archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20060711093022/http://www.met.police.uk/history/records.htm |url-status=dead ))</ref>

=== Navigators ===
A huge workforce was required to build the ever-expanding railway system. These armies of rough workers – [[Navvy|navigators]], or "navvies" for short – brought fear into rural Victorian England. The [[Special Constables Act 1838]] was passed which required railway and other companies to bear the cost of constables keeping the peace near construction works.((Citation needed|date=February 2021))

=== Historical crime ===
((More citations needed section|date=February 2021))
The continually expanding network of railways gave criminals new opportunities to move around the country and commit crime. The railways were pioneers of the electric telegraph and its use often involved the arrest of criminals arriving or departing by train. On 1 January 1845 a railway police sergeant became the first person to arrest a murderer following the use of an [[electric telegraph]].

In 1838 the [[Royal Mail]] was conveyed by rail for the first time. The first mail thefts were reported shortly afterwards. In 1848 the [[Eastern Counties Railway]] lost 76 pieces of luggage in just one day, and by the following year thefts from the largest six railways amounted to over £100,000 a year.

The first railway murder was committed by [[Franz Muller]], who robbed and killed a fellow passenger on a [[North London Railway]] train in 1864. However Railway police were not involved in his apprehension.

The first arrest abroad by the British police was made in 1874 when a [[Metropolitan Police]] inspector accompanied by a railway police inspector went to the United States to arrest an [[embezzler]].((Citation needed |reason=Reliable source needed for the whole sentence |date=January 2018))

=== Reorganisation ===
From 1900, several railway companies re-organised their police forces. The [[London, Brighton and South Coast Railway]] virtually reformed their police force from scratch in that year, followed by the [[Great Eastern Railway]], the [[North Eastern Railway (UK)|North Eastern Railway]] and [[Midland Railway]] in 1910, the [[Caledonian Railway]] in 1917 and lastly the [[Great Western Railway]] in 1918.((Citation needed|date=February 2021))

=== Inter-war years ===
The [[Railways Act 1921]] amalgamated over one hundred separate railway systems (of which about 20 had organised police forces) into four groups:

*The [[Great Western Railway]]
*The [[London and North Eastern Railway]]
*The [[London, Midland and Scottish Railway]]
*The [[Southern Railway (Great Britain)|Southern Railway]]

Each had its own police force controlled by a chief of police. These four forces were organised in the same way; each split into a number of divisions headed by a superintendent, divided into a number of divisions posts led by an inspector. Detectives worked with their uniformed colleagues at most locations. Many 'non-police' duties were retained however, with officers acting as crossing keepers or locking and sealing wagons.((Citation needed|date=February 2021))

=== World War II ===
During the war, the strength of the railway police doubled. With many men conscripted, special constables and women police were again employed.((Citation needed|date=February 2021))

=== Post war ===
((More citations needed section|date=February 2021))
In 1947 the Transport Act created the [[British Transport Commission]] (BTC) which unified the railway system. On 1 January 1949 the '''British Transport Commission Police''' (BTCP) were created, formed from the four old railway police forces, the [[London Passenger Transport Board|London Transport]] Police, canal police and several minor dock forces.

In 1957 the Maxwell-Johnson enquiry found that policing requirements for the railway could not be met by civil forces and that it was essential that a specialist police force be retained. On 1 January 1962 the British Transport Commission Police ceased to cover [[British Waterways]] property<ref>((cite web |url=http://www.btp.police.uk/History%20Society/Publications/History%20Society/Constituent%20Force/Canal%20Forces/Sharpness%20Dock%20Police%20%20(1874%201948).htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040614073125/http://www.btp.police.uk/History%20Society/Publications/History%20Society/Constituent%20Force/Canal%20Forces/Sharpness%20Dock%20Police%20%20%281874%201948%29.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 June 2004 |title=Sharpness Dock Police (1874–1948) |access-date=28 August 2007))</ref> and exactly a year later when the BTC was abolished the name of the force was amended to the British Transport Police. In 1984 [[London Buses]] decided not to use the British Transport Police. The British Transport Docks Board followed in 1985 when it was privatised.

In the 1960s and 1970s BTP officers led by [[Detective Sergeant]] [[Derek Ridgewell]] gave false testimony to obtain convictions of young men in the [[Black British people|British Black community]] on the [[London Underground]] on charges such as assault with intent to rob. Eventually some of the men, who became known as the [[Oval Four]] and [[Stockwell Six]], managed to have their convictions overturned. In November 2021, the BTP chief constable apologised to the black community for the trauma caused by Ridgewell, and said his actions did "not define the BTP of today".<ref name=guardian-20211105>((cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/nov/05/british-transport-police-apologise-to-uk-black-community-for-corrupt-ex-officer-derek-ridgwell-stockwell-six-oval-four |title=British Transport Police apologise to UK black community for corrupt ex-officer |last1=Gayle |first1=Damien |last2=Mohdin |first2=Aamna |newspaper=The Guardian |date=5 November 2021 |access-date=5 November 2021))</ref>
In July 2021 Deputy Chief Constable Adrian Hanstock stated that a review of Ridgewell's record had "not identified any additional matters that we feel should be referred for external review",<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/jan/25/i-just-went-bent-how-britains-most-corrupt-cop-ruined-countless-lives guardian 25th January 2024]</ref> this proved not to be a reliable statement as the Criminal Case Review Commission subsequently quashed the convictions of Basil Peterkin and Saliah Mehmet, 2 of 12 men convicted on Ridgewell's evidence of theft from a goods depot in 1977. The CCRC appealed for "anyone else who believes that they or a loved one, friend or acquaintance was a victim of a miscarriage of justice to contact the CCRC – particularly if DS Derek Ridgewell was involved."<ref>[https://ccrc.gov.uk/news/convictions-quashed-after-persistent-pro-active-ccrc-investigation/ ccrc.gov.uk]</ref>, indicating that there are many further victims of this corrupt, racist officer that the BTP have not identified in their flawed review.

BTP previously used to police several sea ports and docks until privatisation and the dock board decision in 1985. This included undertaking immigration control at smaller ports until the Immigration Service expanded. The force crest still includes ports and harbours.((citation needed|date=December 2020)) BTP left the last ports it policed in 1990.

In 1984 a Dog Section Training School was opened at the force training establishment near [[Tadworth]], Surrey. In 2010, dog training was moved from Tadworth and the training school was moved to the Metropolitan Police's Dogs Training School in [[Keston]], London Borough of Bromley.

The force played a central role in the response to the [[7 July 2005 London bombings]]. Three of the incidents were at London Underground stations: [[Edgware Road]] (Circle Line), [[Russell Square]] and [[Aldgate]] stations, and the Number 30 bus destroyed at [[Tavistock Square]] was very close to the then force headquarters of the BTP, the latter incident being responded to initially by officers from the force.

In May 2011, the [[Secretary of State for Transport]] [[Philip Hammond]] announced that British Transport Police would create an armed capability of its own with the added benefit of additional resilience and capacity to the overall UK police armed capability.<ref>((cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-13521747 |title=Transport police to be armed to counter terror threat |work=BBC News |access-date=11 December 2012 |date=24 May 2011))</ref> The BTP are deployed on armed patrols using [[Glock 17]] pistols, [[Lewis Machine and Tool Company|LMT]] [[AR-15]] CQB carbines<ref>((cite web |url=https://lmtdefense.com/ |title=Lewis Machine & Tool Company - Complete Weapon Systems |website=Lmtdefense.com |access-date=17 February 2019))</ref> and [[taser]]s.<ref>((cite news |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuZDjgsjBUo | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120726132807/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuZDjgsjBUo&feature=youtu.be| archive-date=2012-07-26 | url-status=dead|title=Policing the railways - Armed police |publisher=British Transport Police |access-date=11 December 2012 |via=YouTube))</ref>

=== Route crime ===
[[Route crime]]<ref>((cite web |url=http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/nav.1129/ |title=Route crime |website=Office of Rail Regulation |date=18 February 2008 |access-date=8 June 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120926024528/http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/nav.1129/ |archivedate=26 September 2012))</ref> collectively describes crimes and offences of trespass and vandalism which occur on railway lines and can affect the running of train services. It is a minor but significant cause of death on British railways. The overwhelming majority – 95% in 2005 – of deaths are suicides with the rest being attributed to trespass.<ref>((cite web |url=http://www.rssb.co.uk/pdf/reports/ASPR_Full_05.pdf |title=Annual Safety Performance Report 2005 |date=16 May 2006  |website=[[Rail Safety Standards Board]] (RSSB) |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927203018/http://www.rssb.co.uk/pdf/reports/ASPR_Full_05.pdf |archivedate=27 September 2007))</ref>

Graffiti costs rail firms over £5((nbsp))million a year in direct costs alone.<ref>((cite web |url=http://www.btp.police.uk/issues/graffiti.htm |title=BTP: Issues, graffiti |access-date=19 March 2007 |website=British Transport Police |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070206213816/http://www.btp.police.uk/issues/graffiti.htm |archivedate=6 February 2007))</ref> The BTP maintains a graffiti database which holds over 1900 graffiti tags, each unique to an individual. In 2005 BTP sent 569 suspects to court (an increase of 16% on 2004 figures).<ref>The Sharp End Issue 16 (published for the Home Office and sent to every police officer, SC and support staff in England and Wales)</ref>

In the North West Area BTP has joined forces with [[Lancashire Constabulary]] and [[Network Rail]] to combat theft of metal items and equipment from railway lines in an initiative called [[Operation Tremor]]. The BTP established Operation Drum in 2006 as a national response to the increase in [[metal theft]] offences and also chairs the relevant [[Association of Chief Police Officers]] working group.<ref>http://www.btp.presscentre.com/content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=1404&NewsAreaID=2/ ((dead link |date=April 2018 |bot=There'sNoTime |fix-attempted=yes))</ref>

[[Operation Shield]] is an initiative by BTP to reduce the number of knives carried by passengers on the rail network. This initiative came about after knife crime began to rise and also because of the murder of a passenger on a [[Virgin CrossCountry]] service travelling from [[Glasgow Central railway station|Glasgow]].<ref>((cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/5023422.stm |title=Man quizzed over stabbing |date=28 May 2006 |access-date=8 June 2009 |work=BBC News))</ref>

In 2013, in response a survey conducted by Transport for London, which showed that 15% of women using public transport in London had been the subject of some form of unwanted sexual behaviour but that 90% of incidents went unreported, the BTP—in conjunction with the [[Metropolitan Police Service]], [[City of London Police]], and TfL—launched [[Project Guardian]], which aimed to reduce sexual offences and increase reporting.<ref name="gruniad II">((cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/the-womens-blog-with-jane-martinson/2013/oct/01/project-guardian-public-transport-safer-women |title=Project Guardian: making public transport safer for women |last=Bates |first=Laura |date=1 October 2013 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=17 September 2014 |author-link=Laura Bates))</ref>

=== List of chief constables ===
Arthur West was appointed as the first Chief Constable in 1958; previously from 1949 to 1958, the BTP was led by a Chief Police Officer.<ref>((Cite web |last=Gordon |first=Kevin |title=A Time Line of Policing the Railways. |url=https://www.btphg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/A-Time-Line-of-Policing-the-Railways.pdf))</ref>
# Arthur West (1958–1963)
# William Owen Gay (1963–1974)
# Eric Haslam (1974–1981)
# Kenneth Ogram (1981–1989)
# Desmond O'Brien (1989–1997)
# David Williams (1997–2001)
# [[Ian Johnston (police officer)|Ian Johnston]] (2001–2009)
# Andrew Trotter (2009–2014)
# [[Paul Crowther (police officer)|Paul Crowther]] (2014–2021)
# [[Lucy D'Orsi]] (2021–present )

== Funding ((anchor|How the BTP is funded))==
The British Transport Police is almost wholly funded by the [[train operating company|train operating companies]], [[Network Rail]], and the [[London Underground]] – part of [[Transport for London]].<ref>((cite book |title=British Transport Police Annual Report 2004/2005 |url=http://www.btp.police.uk/pdf/FOI_publications_AnnualReport_2004-2005.pdf|access-date=11 April 2006 |page=8 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081105163938/http://www.btp.police.uk/pdf/FOI_publications_AnnualReport_2004-2005.pdf |archive-date=5 November 2008 |url-status=dead))</ref> Around 95% of BTP's funding comes from the train operating companies.<ref>((Cite journal|last1=Ayling|first1=Julie|year=2008|title=Taking Care of Business: Public police as commercial security vendors |journal=[[Criminology and Criminal Justice]]|volume=8|issue=1|pages=27–50|doi=10.1177/1748895807085868|last2=Shearing|first2=C.
|hdl=10072/62559|s2cid=144390902|hdl-access=free))</ref> Other operators with whom the BTP has a service agreement also contribute appropriately. This funding arrangement does not give the companies power to set objectives for the BTP, but there are industry representatives serving as members of the police authority.<ref>[http://www.btpa.police.uk/aboutus.php Police Authority] ((webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090429212702/http://www.btpa.police.uk/aboutus.php |date=29 April 2009 ))</ref> The police authority decides objectives. The industry membership represent five out of 13 members.((Citation needed|date=February 2021))

The force does not receive any direct funding from the Home Office, but may apply for grants – such as for special events, like the [[London 2012|London 2012 Olympic Games]].<ref name=":1" /> With BTP now playing a large role in counter-terrorism on the rail network, the force also receives some grants towards its firearms units.((Citation needed|date=February 2021))

The police authority has agreed its budget for 2021((ndash))22 at £328.1((nbsp))million.<ref>((cite report |publisher=British Transport Police Authority |date=2022 |title=BTPA Strategic Plan 2018-22 |url= https://btpa.police.uk/?news-article=btpa-launches-refreshed-strategic-plan-2018-2022 |page=24 |docket= |access-date=3 March 2022|quote=))</ref>

== Operational structure ==

As of September 2021 BTP had a workforce of 3,113 police officers, 1,415 police staff, 251 [[police community support officer]]s, 298 [[special constable]]s, and 50 support volunteers.<ref name="gov.uk">((cite report |date=26 January 2022 |title=Police Workforce, England and Wales: 30 September 2021 |url= https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/police-workforce-england-and-wales-30-september-2021 |publisher=Home Office |page= |docket= |access-date=3 March 2022|quote=))</ref> In terms of officer numbers it is the largest of the three special police forces and the 11th largest police force in the United Kingdom overall.

=== Divisions ===
From 1 April 2014, the divisional structure changed from the previous seven division structure to a four division structure - according to BTP this new structure will 'deliver a more efficient force, generating savings to reinvest in more police officers across the railway network'.<ref name=":0">((cite web |website=British Transport Police |date=2014 |title=Our structure |access-date=3 April 2014 |url=http://www.btp.police.uk/about_us/our_structure.aspx))</ref>

==== A Division ====
Based at BTP Headquarters in Central London, this division retains overall control of the other divisions and houses central functions including forensics, CCTV and major investigations. ((asof|2015)), 393 police officers, 10 special constables and 946 police staff are based at FHQ.<ref name="btp.police.uk">((cite web |url=http://www.btp.police.uk/pdf/BTP-%20Statistical%20Bulletin%202014-15.pdf |title=Statistical Bulletin 2014/15 |website=British Transport Police |access-date=17 February 2019))</ref>

==== B Division ====

This division covers London and the South East and southern areas of England. This division is further divided into the following sub-divisions:
* North<ref>((cite web |url=http://www.btp.police.uk/pdf/BTP_PolicingPlan_Dev_BDiv_East_AW.pdf |title=B Division East Policing Plan |access-date=2014-04-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407062314/http://www.btp.police.uk/pdf/BTP_PolicingPlan_Dev_BDiv_East_AW.pdf |archive-date=7 April 2014))</ref>
* Central<ref>British Transport Police (2014)((cite web |url=http://www.btp.police.uk/pdf/BTP_PolicingPlan_Dev_BDiv_TfL_AW.pdf |title=B Division TfL Policing Plan |access-date=2014-04-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407062943/http://www.btp.police.uk/pdf/BTP_PolicingPlan_Dev_BDiv_TfL_AW.pdf |archive-date=7 April 2014))
</ref>
* South<ref>British Transport Police (2014) ((cite web |url=http://www.btp.police.uk/pdf/BTP_PolicingPlan_Dev_BDiv_South_AW.pdf |title=B Division South Policing Plan |access-date=2014-04-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407062323/http://www.btp.police.uk/pdf/BTP_PolicingPlan_Dev_BDiv_South_AW.pdf |archive-date=7 April 2014))
</ref>

((As of|2015)), B Division houses the largest number of personnel of any BTP division: 1,444 police officers, 101 special constables, 191 PCSOs and 361 police staff.<ref name="btp.police.uk"/>
[[File:British Transport Police Ford patrol car at Maidstone West Station.jpg|thumb|BTP [[Ford Kuga]] response vehicle, seen next to a [[Vauxhall Astra]] response vehicle, at [[Maidstone West railway station]]]]

==== C Division ====
This division covers the North East, North West, the Midlands, South West areas of England and Wales. This division is further divided into the following sub-divisions:
* Pennine<ref>British Transport Police (2014) ((cite web |url=http://www.btp.police.uk/pdf/BTP_PolicingPlan_Dev_CDiv_Pennine_AW.pdf |title=C Division Pennine Policing Plan |access-date=2014-04-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407062544/http://www.btp.police.uk/pdf/BTP_PolicingPlan_Dev_CDiv_Pennine_AW.pdf |archive-date=7 April 2014))
</ref>
* Midland<ref>British Transport Police (2014) ((cite web |url=http://www.btp.police.uk/pdf/BTP_PolicingPlan_CDiv_Midland_AW.pdf |title=C Division Midland Policing Plan |access-date=2014-04-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407062538/http://www.btp.police.uk/pdf/BTP_PolicingPlan_CDiv_Midland_AW.pdf |archive-date=7 April 2014))
</ref>
* Wales<ref>((cite web |url=http://www.btp.police.uk/pdf/BTP_PolicingPlan_CDiv_Wales_AW.pdf |title=C Division Wales |access-date=2014-04-03 |url-status=dead |website=British Transport Police |date=2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407062937/http://www.btp.police.uk/pdf/BTP_PolicingPlan_CDiv_Wales_AW.pdf |archive-date=7 April 2014))
</ref>
* Western

((As of|2015)), C Division houses the second largest number of personnel within BTP: 921 police officers, 127 special constables, 132 PCSOs and 180 police staff.<ref name="btp.police.uk"/>
[[File:British Transport Police bilingual sign.jpg|thumb|A bilingual sign in [[Welsh language|Welsh]] and English]]

==== D Division ====
This division covers Scotland. There are no sub-divisions within D Division.<ref>((cite web |url=http://www.btp.police.uk/pdf/BTP_PolicingPlan_DDiv_Scotland_AW.pdf |title=D Division Policing Plan |website=British Transport Police |date=2014 |access-date=2014-04-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407062528/http://www.btp.police.uk/pdf/BTP_PolicingPlan_DDiv_Scotland_AW.pdf |archive-date=7 April 2014))</ref>

((As of|2015)), D Division is the smallest in terms of personnel housing 214 police officers, 24 special constables and 46 police staff.<ref name="btp.police.uk"/>
[[File:British Transport Police Vauxhall Vivaro (16063242684).jpg|thumb|[[Renault Trafic#Opel Vivaro A|Vauxhall Vivaro]] prisoner transport vehicle used by D division]]

==== E Division ====
E Division (Specialist Operations) was formed in 2020, removing the counter-terrorism units and assets from A Division, and placing them into their own division.

E division comprises the force's specialist counter-terrorism units including the Firearms Unit, Dog Branch, Specialist Response Unit and others.

=== Former divisions ===
Prior to April 2014, BTP was divided into seven geographical basic command units (BCUs) which it referred to as 'police areas':

* Scotland (Area HQ in Glasgow)
* North Eastern (Area HQ in Leeds)
* North Western (Area HQ in Manchester)
* London North (Area HQ in London - Caledonian Road)
* London Underground (Area HQ in London - Broadway)
* London South (Area HQ in London - London Bridge Street)
* Wales & Western (Area HQ in Birmingham)

Prior to 2007, there was an additional Midland Area and Wales and West Area; however, this was absorbed into the Wales and Western area and North Eastern area.

=== Communications and controls===
BTP operates two force control rooms and one call-handling centre:
*First Contact Centre: Based in Birmingham and responsible for handling all routine telephone traffic. This facility was created further to criticism by [[HMIC]].<ref>((cite web|title=HMIC – Baseline Assessment Project |url=http://inspectorates.homeoffice.gov.uk/hmic/inspections/baseline-assessments-nonho-0607/baseline06-btp.pdf?view=Binary|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081023122904/http://inspectorates.homeoffice.gov.uk/hmic/inspections/baseline-assessments-nonho-0607/baseline06-btp.pdf?view=Binary|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 October 2008|access-date=17 July 2008))</ref><ref>((cite web|title=BTP – Control Room Project|url=http://www.btpcontrolroom.com/index.htm|access-date=20 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080201105802/http://www.btpcontrolroom.com/index.htm|archive-date=1 February 2008|url-status=dead))</ref>
*Force Control Room – Birmingham: Based in Birmingham – alongside the First Contact Centre – and responsible for C and D Divisions which cover the [[East Midlands]], [[West Midlands (region)|West Midlands]], Wales, the [[North West of England]], the [[North East of England]], the [[South West of England]] and [[Scotland]].
*Force Control Room – London: Responsible for B Division which covers the [[South of England|South]] and [[East of England|East]] of [[England]] including [[Greater London]] (both [[Transport for London|TfL]] and Mainline).

Both FCRL and FCRB house an events control suite, and a 'silver suite' incident control room is located in the South East for coordinating major incidents and as a fallback facility.

The Home Office [[DTELS]] callsign for BTP is 'M2BX' and their events control suite is 'M2AZ' for force-wide events and incidents, and the South East and 'M2AY' for Outer London events and incidents.

BTP also have consoles within the Metropolitan Police [[Central Communications Command|C3i]] Special Operations Room (SOR).

===Custody suites===
The force only acquired the power to designate custody suites in 2001,<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2001/24/schedule/7/paragraph/12|title=Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 Schedule 7|access-date=31 August 2020|archive-date=19 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130819141428/http://https/|url-status=dead))</ref> whereby all of the custody suites up until that point were non-designated. The force previously ran a number of non-designated custody suites around the country, which had all been closed down by 2014.<ref name=BTP-Web-2014>((cite web |url=https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprisons/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2014/09/BTP-Web-2014.pdf |title=Report on an announced inspection visit to police custody suites of the British Transport Police |date=2014 |access-date=31 August 2020))</ref> A non-designated custody suite only allows police to detain someone for six hours before they are either released (whether charged, bailed or released without charge) or transferred to a designated facility.

The force retains one designated custody suite that is operational at Brewery Road in London (20 cells), where persons arrested within a reasonable travelling distance are taken. A number of other BTP custody suites were operational in London but these were closed in 2017 due to concerns regarding the time that it took to transport prisoners there.<ref>((cite news |url=https://www.mayorwatch.co.uk/british-transport-police-to-downsize-to-just-one-london-custody-suite/|title=British Transport Police to downsize to just one London custody suite|date=24 July 2017 |access-date=31 August 2020))</ref>

Designated custody suites have also been retained as over-spill facilities in London, but are not routinely open, at the following locations: Central London (ten cells), Wembley Park (nine cells), Hammersmith (four cells) and West Ham (four cells).<ref name=BTP-Web-2014/>

=== Specialist units ===
[[File:Acton Works MMB 06 Emergency Response Unit.jpg|thumb|Prior to the implementation of blue lights and 'POLICE' livery, the vehicles were fitted with red and amber lights.]]

==== Emergency Response Unit ====
A partnership between [[Transport for London]] (TfL) and BTP led to the formation of the ERU. The unit carries TfL engineers to incidents on the [[London Underground]], such as [[one under]] accidents and terrorist incidents. The vehicles are driven by BTP officers, so once at the scene the officer performs regular policing duties in relation to any crime or public safety issues. The use of the blue lights on the unit's vehicles is subject to the same criteria as with any other police vehicle<ref>((cite web |url=https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2012/february/incident-response-on-the-tube-to-be-boosted-under-blue-light-trial |title=Incident response on the Tube to be boosted under 'Blue Light' trial |date=9 February 2012|publisher=[[Transport for London]]|access-date=11 September 2015))</ref><ref>((cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/blue-light-for-tube-emergency-teams-6699361.html |title=Blue light for Tube emergency teams |last=Woodham|first=Peter|date=9 February 2012|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|access-date=11 September 2015))</ref><ref>((cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-16961185 |title=BTP's rapid response vehicles get 'bluelights'|work=[[BBC News]]|access-date=11 September 2015))</ref> In December 2013, TfL announced that the trial of blue lights had ended, and that ERU vehicles would retain blue lights, as BTP drivers had halved the unit's response time to incidents.<ref name="medics">((cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-25406764|title=Tube medic team cut after 'less conclusive' pilot - BBC News|date=16 December 2013|work=[[BBC News]]|access-date=11 September 2015))</ref> Some vehicles within the unit are dual liveried, allowing TfL engineers to operate the vehicles without a police driver. On these, 'police' branding can be removed and the vehicles returned to the 'emergency' branding utilised prior to the trial, with engineers utilising amber and red lighting as opposed to blue.((Citation needed|date=February 2021))
[[File:BTP ERU B88 on Scene of Security Alert.jpg|thumb|BTP ERU in police livery, on Scene of Security Alert]]

==== Emergency Intervention Unit ====
Similar schemes have been implemented elsewhere in the country, including a partnership with Network Rail and [[South West Trains]] (SWT) in which a BTP officer crews an "Emergency Intervention Unit", which conveys engineers and equipment to incidents on SWT's network using blue lights.<ref>((cite news |url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/news/2013/mar/Emergency-vehicle-for-faster-response-to-railway-incidents/|title=Emergency vehicle for faster response to railway incidents|date=19 March 2013|publisher=[[Network Rail]]|access-date=11 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018074340/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/news/2013/mar/Emergency-vehicle-for-faster-response-to-railway-incidents/|archive-date=18 October 2015|url-status=dead))</ref> The scheme won the "passenger safety" category at the UK Rail Industry Awards in 2015.<ref>((cite news|url=http://www.btp.police.uk/latest_news/prestigious_national_award_win.aspx|title=Prestigious national award win|date=24 February 2015|publisher=British Transport Police|access-date=11 September 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919094803/http://www.btp.police.uk/latest_news/prestigious_national_award_win.aspx|archive-date=19 September 2015))</ref><ref>((cite news|url=http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Railway-safety-and-crime/Page-7/police-and-engineer-partnership-to-cut-delays|title=Police and engineer partnership to cut delays|date=19 March 2013|work=Rail Technology Magazine|access-date=11 September 2015))</ref> Another "Emergency Response Unit" was established in partnership with Network Rail in the Glasgow area in the run-up to the [[2014 Commonwealth Games]].<ref>((cite news|url=http://www.btp.police.uk/latest_news/local_news_scotland/joint_response_unit_launched.aspx|title=Joint Emergency Response Unit launched in Scotland|date=31 July 2014|publisher=British Transport Police|access-date=12 September 2015))</ref>

==== Medic Response Unit ====
In May 2012, the BTP formed the Medic Response Unit to respond to medical incidents on the London Underground network, primarily to reduce disruption to the network during the [[2012 Summer Olympics]]. The scheme was initially for a 12-month trial, and consisted of 20 police officers (18 police constables and two sergeants) and two dedicated fast-response cars. The officers attached to the unit each undertook a four-week course in pre-hospital care, funded by TfL. TfL estimated that around one third of delays on the London Underground were caused by "passenger incidents", of which the majority related to medical problems with passengers; the purpose of the unit is to provide a faster response to medical incidents, providing treatment at the scene with the aim of reducing disruption to the network.<ref>((cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-18145265|title=Medically trained police officers to patrol Tube network|work=[[BBC News]]|access-date=11 September 2015))</ref> The unit also aims to assist passengers who may be distressed after being trapped on trains while an incident at a station is resolved. Its training and equipment is the same as that of the [[London Ambulance Service]] in order to ensure smooth hand-overs of patients.<ref>((cite news|url=https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2012/may/medically-trained-btp-officers-deployed-on-the-tube|title=Medically trained BTP officers deployed on the Tube - Transport for London|date=21 May 2012|publisher=[[Transport for London]]|access-date=11 September 2015))</ref> At the end of the trial period, in October 2013, the unit was reduced to eight officers; the other twelve returned to regular policing duties after TfL judged the results of the scheme to be less than conclusive.<ref name="medics"/> Officers from the unit treated over 650 people in the first year of operation, including rescuing a passenger who fell onto the tracks, and made 50 arrests.<ref>((cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/tube-medical-response-team-to-be-cut-by-more-than-half-9007138.html |title=Tube medical response team to be cut by more than half|last=Churchill|first=David|newspaper=[[London Evening Standard]]|access-date=11 September 2015))</ref>

==== Firearms unit ====
In May 2011, the [[Secretary of State for Transport]] announced with agreement from the [[Home Secretary]] that approval had been given for BTP to develop a firearms capability following a submission to government in December by BTP.<ref>((cite news |url=http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/david-allen-green/2011/06/armed-officers-police-btp |title=Why are we arming the British Transport Police? |last=Green |first=David Allen |newspaper=[[New Statesman]]|access-date=21 September 2015))</ref><ref>((cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-13521747|title=Transport police to be armed to counter terror threat|date=24 May 2011 |work=[[BBC News]]|access-date=21 September 2015))</ref><ref name="Hammond">((cite press release |author=The Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP |title=Provision of armed capability for the British Transport Police |url=http://www.dft.gov.uk/press/speechesstatements/statements/hammond20110524 |website=Department for Transport |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110528125813/http://www.dft.gov.uk/press/speechesstatements/statements/hammond20110524|archive-date=28 May 2011))</ref> Government stated that this was not in response to any specific threat, and pointed out that it equipped the BTP with a capability that was already available to other police forces and that BTP relied upon police forces for assistance which was a burden.<ref name="Hammond" /> 

In February 2012, BTP [[Authorised Firearms Officer|firearms officers]] commenced patrols focusing on mainline stations in [[London]] and transport hubs to provide a visible deterrence and immediate armed response if necessary.<ref>((cite web |title=BTP Firearms Capability |url=http://www.btp.police.uk/about_us/btp_firearms_capability.aspx |website=British Transport Police |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612024759/http://www.btp.police.uk/about_us/btp_firearms_capability.aspx|archive-date=12 June 2011))</ref><ref>((cite news |last=Austin |first=Jon |title=Guns on the Underground: Armed police to routinely patrol Tube amid threat from ISIS |url=http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/612619/ISIS-armed-police-tube-London-Underground|access-date=31 May 2017|website=Express.co.uk|date=17 October 2015))</ref> Firearms officers carry a [[Glock 17L|Glock 17]] handgun and a [[Lewis Machine and Tool Company|LMT]] CQB 10.5" SBR carbine that may be fitted with a [[suppressor]] and are trained to [[armed response vehicle]] standard.<ref name="BTPFOI">((cite web |title=Firearms used by British Transport Police - Freedom of Information Request 794-14 |url=https://www.btp.police.uk/pdf/FOI%20Response%20794-14%20Firearms%20used%20by%20BTP.pdf |website=British Transport Police |access-date=31 May 2017))</ref>((refn|The Firearms Unit whilst training firearms officers to Armed Response Vehicle (ARV) standard does not conduct ARV patrols, however, uses vehicles to transport officers and tactical equipment to and from stations.<ref>((cite web |title=Armed response call outs - Freedom of Information Request 937-14 |url=https://www.btp.police.uk/pdf/FOI%20Response%20937-14%20Armed%20response%20calls.pdf |website=British Transport Police|access-date=31 May 2017))</ref><ref>((cite magazine |last=Williams |first=Mark |title=British Transport Police|journal=Top Cover. The Police Firearms Officers Association Magazine |volume=Spring 2013|issue=3 |pages=8–9 |url=https://issuu.com/pfoa/docs/top_cover_issue_3_contents_web/8 |access-date=31 May 2017))</ref>|group=Note)) 

In 2014, the [[Firearms Act 1968]] was amended to recognise BTP as a police force under the Act in order to provide BTP a firearms licensing exemption the same as other police forces.<ref>((Cite legislation UK |type=act|year=2014|chapter =12|act=Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014))</ref> 

In December 2016, firearms officers commenced patrolling on board train services on the [[London Underground]].<ref name="AFOMay2017" /> 

In May 2017, as part of the response to the [[Manchester Arena bombing]], it was announced that firearms officers would patrol on board trains outside London for the first time.<ref name="AFOMay2017">((cite press release |url=http://media.btp.police.uk/r/14198/specialist_firearms_officers_to_patrol_on_trains_|title=Specialist firearms officers to patrol on trains as part of threat level change|date=25 May 2017 |publisher=British Transport Police|access-date=25 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170529021116/http://media.btp.police.uk/r/14198/specialist_firearms_officers_to_patrol_on_trains_ |archive-date=29 May 2017 |url-status=dead))</ref> 

In June 2017, BTP announced that the force firearms capability would be expanding outside of London with plans to establish armouries and hubs at [[Birmingham]] and [[Manchester]]. In October 2017, BTP commenced an internal advertisement requesting expressions of interest from substantive constables for the role of firearms officers at Birmingham and Manchester.((Citation needed|date=February 2021))

== Powers and status of officers ==
((More citations needed section|date=February 2021))

=== General powers ===
Under s.31 of the [[Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003]], British Transport Police officers have "all the power and privileges of a [[constable]]" when:
*on track (any land or other property comprising the permanent way of any railway, taken together with the ballast, sleepers and rails laid thereon, whether or not the land or other property is also used for other purposes, any level crossings, bridges, viaducts, tunnels, culverts, retaining walls, or other structures used or to be used for the support of, or otherwise in connection with, track; and any walls, fences or other structures bounding the railway or bounding any adjacent or adjoining property)<ref name="opsi.gov.uk">((cite web|url=http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1993/ukpga_19930043_en_10#pt1-pb16-l1g83 |title=Railways Act 1993 (c. 43) |website=Opsi.gov.uk |access-date=8 June 2009))</ref>
*on network (a railway line, or installations associated with a railway line)<ref name="opsi.gov.uk"/>
*in a station (any land or other property which consists of premises used as, or for the purposes of, or otherwise in connection with, a railway passenger station or railway passenger terminal (including any approaches, forecourt, cycle store or car park), whether or not the land or other property is, or the premises are, also used for other purposes)<ref name="opsi.gov.uk"/>
*in a light maintenance depot,
*on other land used for purposes of or in relation to a railway, the transport police
*on other land in which a person who provides railway services has a freehold or leasehold interest, and
*throughout Great Britain for a purpose connected to a railway or to anything occurring on or in relation to a railway.

"Railway" means a system of transport employing parallel rails which provide support and guidance for vehicles carried on flanged wheels, and form a track which either is of a gauge of at least 350 millimetres or crosses a carriageway (whether or not on the same level).<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1992/ukpga_19920042_en_6#pt3-pb4-l1g67 |title=Transport and Works Act 1992 (c. 42) |website=Opsi.gov.uk |access-date=8 June 2009))</ref>

A BTP constable may enter
* the track,
* a network,
* a station,
* a substation
* a light maintenance depot, and
* a railway vehicle.
without a warrant, using reasonable force if necessary, and whether or not an offence has been committed.<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2003/ukpga_20030020_en_3#pt3-pb3-l1g31 |title=Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 (c. 20) |website=Opsi.gov.uk |access-date=8 June 2009))</ref> It is an offence to assault or impersonate a BTP constable.<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2003/ukpga_20030020_en_5#pt3-pb9-l1g68 |title=Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 (c. 20) |website=Opsi.gov.uk |access-date=8 June 2009))</ref>

====London Cable Car====
BTP officers derive their powers to police the [[London Cable Car]] from the London Cable Car Order 2012.<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2012/472/contents/made |title=London Cable Car Order 2012 |website=legislation.gov.uk |access-date=29 April 2022))</ref>

=== Outside natural jurisdiction ===
BTP officers need however to move between railway sites and often have a presence in city centres. Consequently, they can be called upon to intervene in incidents outside their natural jurisdiction. [[ACPO]] (now the [[National Police Chiefs' Council|NPCC]]) estimate that some 8,000 such incidents occur every year. As a result of the [[Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001]]<ref>Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001, s.100(2)</ref> BTP officers can act as police constables outside their normal jurisdiction in the following circumstances:

==== On the request of a constable ====
If requested by a constable of:
*a [[territorial police force]],
*the [[Ministry of Defence Police]] (MDP), or
*the [[Civil Nuclear Constabulary]] (CNC)
to assist him/her in the execution of their duties in relation to a particular incident, investigation or operation, a BTP constable also has the powers of the requesting officer for the purposes of that incident, investigation or operation.<ref name="statutelaw.gov.uk">((cite web|url=http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/content.aspx?LegType=All+Legislation&searchEnacted=0&extentMatchOnly=0&confersPower=0&blanketAmendment=0&sortAlpha=0&PageNumber=0&NavFrom=0&parentActiveTextDocId=267726&ActiveTextDocId=267854&filesize=5059 |title=Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 (c.24) – Statute Law Database |website=Statutelaw.gov.uk |access-date=8 June 2009))</ref> If a constable from a territorial police force makes the request, then the powers of the BTP constable extend only to the requesting constable's police area.<ref name="statutelaw.gov.uk"/> If a constable from the MDP or CNC makes the request, then the powers of the BTP officer are the same as those of the requesting constable.<ref name="statutelaw.gov.uk"/>

==== On the request of a chief constable (mutual aid) ====
[[File:British Transport Police riot gear.jpg|thumb|upright|BTP police constable in riot gear aiding the Metropolitan Police in London during student protests, 9 December 2010]]

If requested by the [[chief constable]] of one of the forces mentioned above, a BTP constable takes on all the powers and privileges of members of the requesting force.<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/content.aspx?LegType=All+Legislation&searchEnacted=0&extentMatchOnly=0&confersPower=0&blanketAmendment=0&sortAlpha=0&PageNumber=0&NavFrom=0&parentActiveTextDocId=267726&ActiveTextDocId=268128&filesize=523 |title=Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 (c.24) – Statute Law Database |website=Statutelaw.gov.uk |access-date=8 June 2009))</ref> This power is used for planned operations, such as the [[2005 G8 summit]] at [[Gleneagles Hotel|Gleneagles]].

==== Spontaneous requirement outside natural jurisdiction ====
A BTP constable has the same powers and privileges of a constable of a territorial police force:<ref name="statutelaw.gov.uk"/>
*in relation to people whom they suspect on reasonable grounds of having committed, being in the course of committing or being about to commit an offence, or
*if they believe on reasonable grounds that they need those powers and privileges in order to save life or to prevent or minimise personal injury or damage to property.

A BTP constable may only use such powers if he believes on reasonable grounds that if he cannot do so until he secures the attendance of or a request from a local constable (as above), the purpose for which he believes it ought to be exercised will be frustrated or seriously prejudiced.<ref name="statutelaw.gov.uk"/>

The policing protocol between BTP and Home Office forces set outs the practical use of these extended powers.

((blockquote|"Other than in the circumstances set out under Mutual Aid, British Transport Police officers will not normally seek to exercise extended jurisdiction arrangements to deal with other matters unless they come across an incident requiring police action whilst in the course of their normal duties.

Whenever British Transport Police officers exercise police powers under the Extended Jurisdiction Arrangements the BTP Chief Constable will ensure that the relevant Local Chief Constable is notified as soon as practicable."|ACPO Policing Protocol between BTP & Home Office Forces,<ref>((cite web|url=http://library.college.police.uk/docs/hocirc/ho-circ-2002-025-BTP-protocol.pdf|title=ACPO Policing Protocol between BTP & Home Office Forces|website=Library.college.police.uk|access-date=17 February 2019))</ref> October 2008))

==== Cross-border powers ====
===== Channel Tunnel Act 1987 =====
((see|Channel Tunnel Act 1987))

When policing the [[Channel Tunnel]], BTP constables have the same powers and privileges as members of [[Kent Police]] when in France,<ref name="chan tun">((cite web|url=http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/content.aspx?activeTextDocId=1323802 |title=Channel Tunnel Act 1987 |website=Statutelaw.gov.uk |date=1995-01-04 |access-date=2014-02-19))</ref> and will also be under the direction and control of the Chief Constable of Kent.<ref name="chan tun"/>

===== Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 =====
((see|Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994))

A BTP constable can:

* When in Scotland, execute an [[arrest warrant]], warrant of commitment and a warrant to arrest a witness (from England, Wales or Northern Ireland),<ref name="S136">((cite web|url=http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/content.aspx?parentActiveTextDocId=2156203&activetextdocid=2156396 |title=section 136, Criminal Justice & Public Order Act 1994 |website=Statutelaw.gov.uk |access-date=2014-02-19))</ref> and
* When in England or Wales, execute a warrant for committal, a warrant to imprison (or to apprehend and imprison) and a warrant to arrest a witness (from Scotland).<ref name="S136"/>

When executing a warrant issued in Scotland, a BTP constable executing it shall have the same powers and duties, and the person arrested the same rights, as they would have had if execution had been in Scotland by a constable of [[Police Scotland]].<ref name="S136"/> When executing a warrant issued in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, a constable may use reasonable force and has specified search powers provided by [http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/content.aspx?parentActiveTextDocId=2156203&activetextdocid=2156399 section 139 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994].<ref name="S136"/>

===== Policing and Crime Act 2017 =====
((see|Policing and Crime Act 2017))

A BTP constable, other than a special constable, can:

* When in Scotland, arrest an individual they suspect of committing a specified offence in England and Wales or Northern Ireland if the Constable is satisfied that it would not be in the best interests of justice to wait until a warrant has been issued under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 2004.<ref name="PCA 2017 Scottish Powers">((cite web|url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2017/3/part/4/chapter/8/enacted |title=Policing and Crime Act 2017 |website=Statutelaw.gov.uk |access-date=2020-08-30))</ref>
* When in England or Wales, arrest a person they suspect of committing a specified offence in Scotland or Northern Ireland, or the constable has reasonable grounds to believe that the arrest is necessary to allow the prompt and effective investigation of the offence or prevent the prosecution of the offence being hindered by the disappearance of the individual.<ref name="PCA 2017 Scottish Powers"/>

The power can be exercised on or off of transport property without restriction.

This is the only known power that is available to 'regular' BTP constables and not BTP special constables as a result of the Policing and Crime Act 2017 stating that the power is available to constables attested under Section 24 of the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 (BTP special constables are appointed under Section 25 of the aforementioned Act).

====== National and international maritime policing powers ======

BTP constables (both 'regular' and special constables) are designated as law enforcement officers in the same way as members of a territorial police force under Chapter 5 of the Act. This allows them to exercise maritime enforcement powers, including the powers of arrest for offences that could be subject to prosecution under the laws of England and Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland, in relation to:

* a British ship in England and Wales, Northern Ireland or Scottish waters, foreign waters or international waters,
* a ship without nationality in England and Wales waters or international waters,
* a foreign ship in England and Wales waters or international waters, or
* a ship, registered under the law of a relevant territory, in England and Wales waters or international waters.<ref name="Maritime Arrest Powers">((cite web|url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2017/3/part/4/chapter/5/crossheading/application-of-maritime-enforcement-powers-general/enacted |title=National and International Maritime Policing Powers- Policing and Crime Act 2017 |website=Statutelaw.gov.uk |access-date=2020-08-30))</ref>

=== Attestation ===
((See also|Police oath))
Constables of the BTP are required by S.24 of the [[Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003]] (and special constables of the BTP are required by S.25) to make one of the following attestations, depending on the jurisdiction in which they have been appointed:

==== England and Wales ====
((blockquote|text=I, [name] of British Transport Police do solemnly and sincerely declare and affirm, that I will well and truly serve the King, in the office of constable, with fairness, integrity, diligence and impartiality, upholding fundamental human rights and according equal respect to all people; and that I will, to the best of my power, cause the peace to be kept and preserved, and prevent all offences against people and property; and that while I continue to hold the said office, I will, to the best of my skill and knowledge, discharge all duties thereof faithfully according to law.))

[Police Act 1996, Schedule 4 as amended.]

The attestation can be made in Welsh.

==== Scotland ====
Constables are required to make the declaration required by s.10 of the [[Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012]] before a sheriff or justice of the peace.

((blockquote|text="I, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of constable with fairness, integrity, diligence and impartiality, and that I will uphold fundamental human rights and accord equal respect to all people, according to law".))

=== Status ===

A BTP constable does not lose the ability to exercise his powers when off duty. Section 22 of the [[Infrastructure Act 2015]]<ref>((cite web| url = http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/7/section/22| title = Infrastructure Act 2015))</ref> repealed section 100(3)(a) of the [[Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001]]<ref>((cite web |url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2001/24/section/100 |title=Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 |date= |website=[[legislation.gov.uk]]))</ref> which required BTP officers to be in uniform or in possession of documentary evidence (i.e. their warrant card) in order to exercise their powers. The repeal of this subsection, which came into effect on 12 April 2015,<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/7/contents/enacted/data.htm|title=Infrastructure Act 2015|website=Legislation.gov.uk|access-date=17 February 2019))</ref> now means BTP officers are able to use their powers on or off duty and in uniform or plain clothes regardless of whether they are in possession of their warrant card.<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/7/section/22/enacted|title=Infrastructure Act 2015|website=Legislation.gov.uk))</ref>

On 1 July 2004 a [[police authority]] for the British Transport Police was created.<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2003/30020--d.htm#18 |title=s18 Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 |website=Opsi.gov.uk |date=10 July 2003 |access-date=8 June 2009))</ref> BTP officers became employees of the police authority; prior to that, they were employees of the [[Strategic Rail Authority]].

== Rank insignia ==
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
!colspan=11|British Transport Police ranks and insignia<ref>((cite web|title=Badges of rank |url=https://www.btp.police.uk/about_us/our_people/badges_of_rank.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130071406/https://www.btp.police.uk/about_us/our_people/badges_of_rank.aspx |archive-date=30 January 2021 |url-status=dead))</ref>
|-
!Rank
|[[Chief constable]]<br />(CC)
|[[Deputy chief constable]]<br />(DCC)
|[[Assistant chief constable]]<br />(ACC)
|[[Det Ch Supt|Chief superintendent]]
|[[Superintendent (police)#United Kingdom|Superintendent]]
|[[Detective chief inspector|Chief inspector]]
|[[Inspector#United Kingdom|Inspector]]
|[[Sergeant#United Kingdom|Sergeant]]
|[[Detective constable|Constable]]
|[[Police community support officer|Community Support Officer]]
|-
!Epaulette insignia
|[[File:Chief Constable.svg|50px|link=Chief Constable]]
|[[File:Deputy Chief Constable.svg|50px|link=Deputy Chief Constable]]
|[[File:Assistant Chief Constable.svg|50px|link=Assistant Chief Constable]]
|[[File:CSupt Epaulette.svg|50px|link=Chief superintendent#United Kingdom]]
|[[File:Supt.svg|50px|link=Superintendent (police)#United Kingdom]]
|[[File:CInsp.svg|50px|link=Chief inspector#United Kingdom]]
|[[File:Insp.svg|50px|link=Inspector#United Kingdom]]
|[[File:PS Epaulette.svg|50px|link=Sergeant#United Kingdom]]
|[[File:UK police constable epaulette, 2016.svg|50px|link=Constable#United Kingdom]]
|[[File:PCSOVariants.png|120px|link=Police community support officer]]
|}

== Special constabulary ==
((Unreferenced section|date=February 2021))
===History===
British Transport Police first recruited [[Special Constables|special constables]] in a trial based in the North West Area in 1995, and this was expanded to the whole of the UK.

Many specials are recruited from the wider railway community and those working for [[train operating company|train operating companies]] are encouraged by their employers.
===Powers and Authority===
Under the terms of the [[Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003]] and the [[Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001]], BTP special constables have identical jurisdiction and powers to BTP regular constables; primary jurisdiction on any railway in Great Britain and a conditional jurisdiction in any other police force area. 

===Uniform===
BTP specials do not wear the 'SC' insignia (a crown with the letters SC underneath) on their [[epaulettes]] unlike some of their counterparts in some [[List_of_law_enforcement_agencies_in_the_United_Kingdom,_Crown_Dependencies_and_British_Overseas_Territories#Territorial_police_forces|Home Office police forces]].<ref>((cite web| url = https://btp.tal.net/vx/mobile-0/appcentre-External/brand-4/candidate/so/pm/6/pl/1/opp/6174-Special-Constables-2021/en-GB| title = Special Constables 2021 - British Transport Police))</ref>

===Size===
As of March 2023, the BTP Special Constabulary held a headcount of 227 officers working across Great Britain.<ref>((Cite web |title=Police workforce, England and Wales: 31 March 2023 |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/police-workforce-england-and-wales-31-march-2023 |access-date=2023-11-21 |website=GOV.UK |language=en))</ref> The current headcount is down from those in September 2021, when they numbered 298 officers.<ref name="gov.uk"/>

===Structure===
The special constabulary has followed many Home Office forces in implementing a rank structure for special constables. 

As of January 2024, this was restructured and the rank of special chief inspector was removed. It is now led by a special chief officer and a deputy chief officer. Below them are a number of special inspectors and special sergeants per Sub-Division.

===Federation and Taser===
In January 2022 the British Transport Police Police Federation allowed BTP special Constables to join,<ref>((Cite tweet |author=Ben Clifford |user=BTPClifford |number=1307978466755784704 |title= I'm delighted to see that @BTPolFed have voted to allow @BTPSpecials to be members from January 2021 The federation does vital work support the welfare and representing our regular officers and it's good this will extend to our Special Constables too))</ref><ref>((Cite tweet |author=BTP Federation |user=BTPolFed |number= 1437678522277978113 |title= It can be done and the reason for it is simple. Our Specials stand shoulder to shoulder with our regular officers and they also face the same risk and threats when on duty. As a federation we agreed that our Specials deserve the same protection as a regular officer. #OneBTP))</ref> a precondition for an announcement in May 2022 that specials would be trained to carry [[tasers]].<ref>((Cite tweet |author=British Transport Police |user=BTP |number= 152653613148708455 |title= BTP Special Officers play a vital role alongside regular officers, facing the same risks and incidents on the network each day. That's why we're training a number of specials in England & Wales to be equipped with Taser to further protect both the public and frontline officers.))</ref>

===Rank Structure===
The BTP Special Constabulary rank structure differs from the regular officers' structure, although some are similar.<ref>((cite web | url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/540790/response/1295137/attach/html/4/FOI%20RESPONSE%201810%2018%20attachment.pdf.html | title=Special Constable Ranks - BTP - a Freedom of Information request to British Transport Police | date=24 December 2018 ))</ref>

The structure is as follows:

{|class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
!Rank
|'''Special Chief Officer'''
|'''Special Superintendent'''
|'''Special Chief Inspector'''
|'''Special Inspector'''
|'''Special Sergeant'''
|'''Special Constable'''
|-
!Epaulette insignia
|[[File:CO.svg|50px]]
|[[File:SSupt.svg|50px]]
|[[File:SCI.svg|50px]]
|[[File:SInsp.svg|50px]]
|[[File:SSgt.svg|50px]]
|[[File:Special Constable.svg|50px]]
|}

Special Constables can progress up the rank structure. Whilst the names may be similar to other ranks (e.g. Inspector), the insignia is different, so that regulars and Specials can be easily distinguished.

== Police community support officers (PCSO) ==

<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:BTP PCSO Liverpool.jpg|thumb|A BTP PCSO (right) on duty with a constable (Left) in [[Liverpool]]. Note the [[handcuffs]] on the PCSOs belt. BTP are one of the few forces to give their PCSOs such equipment]] -->
[[File:PCSO on duty at Newport.jpg|thumb|right|A PCSO of the British Transport Police on duty at [[Newport railway station]], [[Wales]]]]
British Transport Police are the only [[special police force]] that employ [[police community support officer]]s (PCSOs). Section 28 of the [[Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003]] allows the BTP Chief Constable to recruit PCSOs and designate powers to them using the [[Police Reform Act 2002]], which previously only extended to [[chief constable]]s or [[commissioner]]s of [[territorial police force]]s.
<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/20/section/28 |title=Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 |website=Legislation.gov.uk |date=2011-05-27 |access-date=2014-02-19))</ref><ref>((cite web|url=http://www.btp.police.uk/about_us/our_history/archive_collections.aspx |title=Archive collections |website=Btp.police.uk |access-date=2014-02-19))</ref>

The BTP started recruiting PCSOs on 13 December 2004.<ref>((cite web |url=http://www.btp.police.uk/about_us/history/timeline.aspx |title=> About us > History > Timeline |access-date=2012-08-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120615102808/http://www.btp.police.uk/about_us/history/timeline.aspx |archive-date=15 June 2012))</ref> The first of them went out on patrol for the first time on Wednesday 5 January 2005.<ref>((cite web |url=http://www.btp.police.uk/pdf/Annual-Report-2004-05.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2013-01-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530053747/http://www.btp.police.uk/pdf/Annual-Report-2004-05.pdf |archive-date=30 May 2015))</ref> They mostly work in the force's neighbourhood policing teams (NPTs).

BTP is one of only three forces to issue its PCSOs [[handcuffs]], the other two being [[North Wales Police]] and [[Dyfed-Powys Police]]. This is in addition to leg restraints.<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.npia.police.uk/en/docs/PCSO_Review_Final_Report.pdf|archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100408120045/http://www.npia.police.uk/en/docs/PCSO_Review_Final_Report.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 April 2010|title=NPIA : PCSO Review July 2008|website=Webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk|access-date=17 February 2019))</ref>  BTP PCSOs also utilise generally more powers than their counterparts in other forces.<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/s44s60_authorisations_and_pcso_p#incoming-239099 |title=S44/S60 Authorisations and PCSO powers. - a Freedom of Information request to British Transport Police |website=WhatDoTheyKnow.com |date=4 December 2011 |access-date=2014-02-19))</ref><ref>((cite web|url=http://police.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/community-policing/PCSOs_Audit_Table_May_2007_12835.pdf?view=Binary|archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100408155654/http://police.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/community-policing/PCSOs_Audit_Table_May_2007_12835.pdf?view=Binary|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 April 2010|title=PCSO powers: Avon & Somerset - Leicestershire|website=Webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk|access-date=17 February 2019))</ref>

As of 2016, the BTP has 362 PCSOs.((Citation needed|date=February 2021))

Although BTP polices in Scotland (D Division) it does not have any PCSOs in Scotland due to limitations of the [[Police Reform Act 2002]], the law that empowers PCSOs which does not extend to Scotland. Although unlike police officers there is no formal transfer process.<ref>((cite web |url=https://www.btprecruitment.com/btpr200685201037.asp |title= British Transport Police Recruitment - Transferring to BTP|website=www.btprecruitment.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721100402/https://www.btprecruitment.com/btpr200685201037.asp |archive-date=21 July 2011))</ref> BTP is known to often attract PCSOs already serving in other police forces.<ref>((cite web |url=http://www.policeuk.com/forum/index.php?%2Ftopic%2F985-btp-psco-recruitment%2F |title=Archived copy |access-date=16 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304120242/http://www.policeuk.com/forum/index.php?%2Ftopic%2F985-btp-psco-recruitment%2F |archive-date=4 March 2014 |url-status=dead ))</ref><ref>((cite web |url=http://www.btp.police.uk/pdf/Met%20Line%20NW%20Bakerloo%20North%20%20Central%20NW%20newsletter%20Summer%202010.pdf |title=Error |website=www.btp.police.uk |access-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727052027/http://www.btp.police.uk/pdf/Met%20Line%20NW%20Bakerloo%20North%20%20Central%20NW%20newsletter%20Summer%202010.pdf |archive-date=27 July 2020 |url-status=dead))</ref>

One of BTPs PCSOs is credited with making the force's largest ever [[illegal drug]]s seizure from one passenger when on 30 September 2009 PCSO Dan Sykes noticed passenger James Docherty acting suspiciously in [[Slough railway station]] only to find him in possession of £200,000 worth of [[Class C drug]]s. PCSO Sykes then detained Docherty who was then arrested and later imprisoned after trial.<ref>((cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/berkshire/8488112.stm | work=BBC News | title=Prison for £200,000 drug dealer | date=29 January 2010))</ref>

In 2006 PCSO George Roach became the first BTP PCSO to be awarded a Chief Constable's Commendation after he saved a suicidal man from an oncoming train at [[Liverpool Lime Street railway station]].<ref>((cite web |url=https://www.btp.police.uk/pdf/Annual-Report-2005-06.PDF |title=Archived copy |access-date=2014-05-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140524043147/https://www.btp.police.uk/pdf/Annual-Report-2005-06.PDF |archive-date=24 May 2014))</ref>

== Accident investigation == 
Until the 1990s the principal investigators of railway accidents were the inspecting officers of [[HM Railway Inspectorate]], and BTP involvement was minimal. With major accidents after the 1988 [[Clapham Junction rail crash]] being investigated by more adversarial public inquiries, the BTP took on a more proactive role in crash investigations. Further reforms led to the creation by the [[Department for Transport]] of the [[Rail Accident Investigation Branch]] which takes the lead role in investigations of accidents.((Citation needed|date=February 2021))

== Proposed mergers and jurisdiction reforms ==
((More citations needed section|date=February 2021))
[[File:British Transport Police safety camera van (9627466757).jpg|thumb|British Transport Police safety camera van, [[Millburn, Inverness|Millburn]] level crossing in [[Inverness]]]]

Although the British Transport Police is not under the control of the Home Office, and as such was not included as part of the proposed mergers of the Home Office forces of England and Wales in early 2006, both the then London mayor [[Ken Livingstone]] and then head of the Metropolitan Police [[Sir Ian Blair]] stated publicly that they wanted a single police force in [[Greater London]]. As part of this, they wished to have the functions of the BTP within Greater London absorbed by the [[Metropolitan Police]]. However, following a review of the BTP by the [[Department for Transport]], no changes to the form and function of the force were implemented, and any proposed merger did not happen.<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.dft.gov.uk/foi/responses/2006/sectionfoidec006/secreviewbrittranspolice/?version=1 |title=Department for Transport – Review of British Transport Police undertaken by DfT 2005–2006 |website=Dft.gov.uk |date=19 December 2006 |access-date=8 June 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070311010515/http://www.dft.gov.uk/foi/responses/2006/sectionfoidec006/secreviewbrittranspolice/?version=1 |archive-date = 11 March 2007))</ref>

There were Scottish government proposals for the BTP's Scottish division (D Division) to be merged with [[Police Scotland]]. However the merger was postponed indefinitely in August 2018.<ref>((cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-31808646 |title=Scottish force to police railways |work=BBC News|date=10 March 2015 ))</ref><ref>((cite web|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/plans-to-merge-british-transport-police-with-police-scotland-could-be-scrapped-1-4786176|title=Plans to merge British Transport Police with Police Scotland could be scrapped|website=Scotsman.com|date=18 August 2018 |access-date=17 February 2019))</ref>

In 2006 it was suggested BTP take on airport policing nationally.

In 2010, it was suggested that BTP take on VOSA traffic officers and Highways England traffic officers. It was estimated BTP would save £25((nbsp))million if this went ahead.<ref>((cite web |title=Rail Value for Money Study : British Transport Police Review |url=http://orr.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/2707/rvfm-aecom-btp-review-feb2011.pdf |access-date=17 February 2019 |website=Orr.gov.uk))</ref> Contrary to popular belief, it was not proposed to merge Home office forces traffic units.

As of 2017 the government made a manifesto commitment to merge BTP, the [[Civil Nuclear Constabulary]] and [[Ministry of Defence Police]] into a single "British Infrastructure Police". Originally after the 2015 Paris attacks, it was thought fully arming BTP and merging the three force would create a significant boost to firearms officer numbers in the UK and they could act as a nationwide counter terrorism force. Two options for this were developed;

Option 1: A single National Infrastructure Constabulary combining the function of the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, the Ministry of Defence Police, the British Transport Police, the Highways England Traffic Officer Service, DVSA uniformed enforcement officers and Home Office police forces' airport and port police units, along with private port police; or

Option 2: A Transport Infrastructure Constabulary and an Armed Infrastructure Constabulary, with the first bringing together the functions carried out by BTP, the Highways England Traffic Officer Service, DVSA uniformed enforcement officers and Home Office police forces' airport and port police units, along with private port police. The Armed Infrastructure force would be a merger of MDP and CNC.

Discussing the review in January 2017, DCC Hanstock commented on the specific responsibilities of BTP and stakeholder responses to the infrastructure policing review:
((blockquote|"What is different is the environment—understanding the risks, threats and health and safety elements—and being specially trained to operate in a transport way. Added to that is understanding the implications of how we do our business: the commercial imperative and the impact of what you do in one area of the network on what happens elsewhere, which may be hundreds of miles up country, based on decisions you make here. There is some true uniqueness about the British Transport police, which I think is treasured by the industry and stakeholders, and that is reflected in quite a bit of the feedback we have received about nervousness about some of these proposals."))

In June 2018 it was reported that these proposals had also been shelved for the time being. The only consensus it seems is that BTP would be suited to taking on airport and port policing as opposed to other modes of transport.

== See also ==

*[[List of police forces of the United Kingdom]]
*[[Policing in the United Kingdom]]
*[[Transit police]]
*[[Railroad police]]

==Notes==
((reflist|group=Note))

== References ==
((Reflist|colwidth=30em))

== External links ==
((Commons category))
* ((Official website))
* [https://www.btphg.org.uk/ British Transport Police History Group]

((UK home nations police forces))
((Department for Transport))
((Authority control))

[[Category:British Transport Police| ]]
[[Category:Department for Transport]]
[[Category:Transport authorities in London]]
[[Category:1948 establishments in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 1948]]
[[Category:British Transport Commission]]
[[Category:Railroad police agencies]]
[[Category:National police forces of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Rail transport in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Specialist law enforcement agencies of the United Kingdom]]

Pages transcluded onto the current version of this page (help):

British Transport Police (edit)
Template:Ambox (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Anchor (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:As of (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Asof (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Authority control (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Blist (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Blockquote (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Blockquote/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Br separated entries (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Bulleted list (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Category handler (view source) (protected)
Template:Citation (view source) (protected)
Template:Citation needed (view source) (protected)
Template:Cite book (view source) (protected)
Template:Cite journal (view source) (protected)
Template:Cite legislation UK (view source) (semi-protected)
Template:Cite magazine (view source) (protected)
Template:Cite news (view source) (protected)
Template:Cite press release (view source) (protected)
Template:Cite report (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Cite tweet (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Cite web (view source) (protected)
Template:Comma separated entries (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Commons category (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Convert (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Coord (view source) (protected)
Template:DMCA (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Dated maintenance category (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Dated maintenance category (articles) (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Dead link (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Delink (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Department for Transport (edit)
Template:EditAtWikidata (view source) (protected)
Template:En dash (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:FULLROOTPAGENAME (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Fix (view source) (protected)
Template:Fix/category (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Further (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Greater color contrast ratio (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Hlist/styles.css (view source) (protected)
Template:Icon (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:If empty (view source) (protected)
Template:If then show (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Infobox (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Infobox law enforcement agency (view source) (semi-protected)
Template:Lang (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Lang-cy (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Legend (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Legend/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:MONTHNAME (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:MONTHNUMBER (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Main other (view source) (protected)
Template:More citations needed (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:More citations needed section (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Navbox (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Nbsp (view source) (protected)
Template:Ndash (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Nobold (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Nobold/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Ns has subpages (view source) (protected)
Template:Official URL (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Official website (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Pagetype (view source) (protected)
Template:Plainlist/styles.css (view source) (protected)
Template:Police forces of the United Kingdom (edit)
Template:Reflist (view source) (protected)
Template:Reflist/styles.css (view source) (protected)
Template:Refn (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:SDcat (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:See (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:See also (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Short description (view source) (protected)
Template:Short description/lowercasecheck (view source) (protected)
Template:Side box (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Sister project (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Sp (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Spaces (view source) (protected)
Template:Specialist lea type descr (view source) (semi-protected)
Template:Start date (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Template other (view source) (protected)
Template:Trim brackets (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:UK home nations police forces (edit)
Template:URL (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Ubl (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Unbulleted list (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Unreferenced (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Unreferenced section (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Use British English (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Use dmy dates (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Webarchive (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Wikidata (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Yesno (view source) (protected)
Module:Anchor (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Arguments (view source) (protected)
Module:Authority control (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Authority control/config (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Category handler (view source) (protected)
Module:Category handler/blacklist (view source) (protected)
Module:Category handler/config (view source) (protected)
Module:Category handler/data (view source) (protected)
Module:Category handler/shared (view source) (protected)
Module:Check for unknown parameters (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1 (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/COinS (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/Date validation (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/Identifiers (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/Utilities (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/Whitelist (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css (view source) (protected)
Module:Cite tweet (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Cite web (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Color contrast (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Color contrast/colors (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Convert (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Convert/data (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Convert/text (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Coordinates (view source) (protected)
Module:Coordinates/styles.css (view source) (protected)
Module:Date (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Delink (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Disambiguation/templates (view source) (protected)
Module:EditAtWikidata (view source) (protected)
Module:Exponential search (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Format link (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Hatnote (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Hatnote/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Hatnote list (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Icon (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Icon/data (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:If empty (view source) (protected)
Module:Infobox (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Infobox/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:InfoboxImage (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Labelled list hatnote (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Lang (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Lang/ISO 639 synonyms (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Lang/data (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Language/data/iana languages (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Language/data/iana regions (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Language/data/iana scripts (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Language/data/iana suppressed scripts (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Language/data/iana variants (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:List (view source) (protected)
Module:Math (view source) (protected)
Module:Message box (view source) (protected)
Module:Message box/ambox.css (view source) (protected)
Module:Message box/configuration (view source) (protected)
Module:Namespace detect/config (view source) (protected)
Module:Namespace detect/data (view source) (protected)
Module:Navbar (view source) (protected)
Module:Navbar/configuration (view source) (protected)
Module:Navbar/styles.css (view source) (protected)
Module:Navbox (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Navbox/configuration (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Navbox/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Ns has subpages (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Official website (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Pagetype (view source) (protected)
Module:Pagetype/config (view source) (protected)
Module:Pagetype/disambiguation (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Pagetype/setindex (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Pagetype/softredirect (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:SDcat (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Separated entries (view source) (protected)
Module:Side box (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Side box/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:String (view source) (protected)
Module:TableTools (view source) (protected)
Module:TwitterSnowflake (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:URL (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Unicode data (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Unicode data/scripts (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Unsubst (view source) (protected)
Module:Wd (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Wd/i18n (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Webarchive (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Webarchive/data (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:WikidataIB (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:WikidataIB/nolinks (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:WikidataIB/titleformats (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Wikitext Parsing (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Yesno (view source) (protected)

Return to British Transport Police.

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Transport_Police"