British Transport Police Update

The Chair welcomed Iain Whyte (IWhyte), Deputy Chief Constable Alistair Sutherland and Chief Superintendent Gill Murray (CSMurray)to the meeting. All three British Transport Police (BTP) attendees highlighted a number of key points as detailed within the shared slides.

In discussion the following matters were raised:
• Members were informed BTP are funded through rail companies with a small amount from the Home Office for county lines. Their jurisdiction is within the rail infrastructure.
• Members heard there are two Officer intakes a year and whilst there has been a slight increase in officers, numbers remained around 150 in Scotland, including Special Constable, with 300 support staff.
• Members were advised that the new hate crime legislation had not brought significant demand on the service.
• Members were assured there was good partnership working between Police Scotland and BTP. CSMurray advised there were currently two seconded Sergeants within the Police Scotland custody area and that BTP would be keen to extend secondment opportunities to and from Police Scotland.
• CCFarrell added that she had spoken BTP Chief Constable Lucy D’orsy to ascertain where the strategic connections exist. She noted Police Scotland would be interested to hear what BTP are doing within the mental health space.
• IWhyte extended the Chair an invite to the British Transport Police Authority Railways Committee which the Chair accepted.

The Authority RESOLVED to:
• NOTE the report.