Responsibility for the resourcing and organisation of the British Transport Police (BTP) lies with the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) rather than with HM Government.<\/p>
<\/p>
The BTP currently operates two control rooms; one in London and one in Birmingham. Whilst this model has served the Force effectively, BTP considers that it is timely to re-examine this structure and deliver its command and control taking account of current and predicted demand. A number of Home Office forces and other organisations operate successfully with a single site control room.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4584", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Sugg"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Sugg"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-03-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-03-19T16:39:21.783Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-03-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "British Transport Police"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government why it has been proposed that the British Transport Police control room in Birmingham should be closed down and all control rooms replaced by one control room in Camden.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1141", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Forsyth of Drumlean"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Forsyth of Drumlean"} ], "uin" : "HL14376"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1059017", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1059017/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) is responsible for ensuring that the necessary funding is available to support the delivery of the British Transport Police\u2019s Policing Plan. The BTPA sets the level of charges to support the cost of policing the network. The British Transport Police Fund Annual Report and Accounts, which is published by the BTPA, includes details about the Force\u2019s financial performance. The most recent version, covering the 12 months to 31 March 2018, is available at https://btpa.police.uk/livesite/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/9053_BTPA_Annual_Report_18.pdf<\/a>.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3996", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Jones"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Harrogate and Knaresborough"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Jones"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-02-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-02-19T12:27:13.607Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-02-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "British Transport Police"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the level of funding provided by the train operating companies' contribution to the British Transport Police in the last 12 months.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/465", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Gordon Marsden"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Blackpool South"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Gordon Marsden"}
], "uin" : "219303"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1059018", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1059018/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) is responsible for ensuring an effective and efficient police force for the railway, including its passengers and staff. The British Transport Police Fund Annual Report and Accounts, which is published by the BTPA, includes details about the Force\u2019s operational performance. The most recent version, covering the 12 months to 31 March 2018, is available at https://btpa.police.uk/livesite/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/9053_BTPA_Annual_Report_18.pdf<\/a>. In addition, Her Majesty\u2019s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) independently assesses the effectiveness and efficiency of police forces including the BTP. HMICFRS published a report in 2018 about the effectiveness of the BTP which emphasised its effectiveness in policing the railway environment, concluding that it compares favourably with the best performing Home Office forces at keeping people safe and reducing crime. A copy of the report is available at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/722680/peel-police-effectiveness-2017-btp.pdf<\/a><\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3996", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Jones"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Harrogate and Knaresborough"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Jones"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-02-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-02-19T14:05:09.763Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-02-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "British Transport Police"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of support for passengers provided by the British Transport Police (a) at train stations and (b) on trains in the last 12 months.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/465", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Gordon Marsden"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Blackpool South"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Gordon Marsden"}
], "uin" : "219304"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/855504", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/855504/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Department does not issue guidance to the British Transport Police (BTP) on the timescales for responding to correspondence from Members of Parliament. However, the Department understands that the BTP aims to acknowledge receipt of correspondence from MPs, that are received in the Chief Constable\u2019s office, within 2 days and to provide a formal response within 2 weeks of receipt.<\/p> <\/p> I understand that this deadline was not met in relation to a recent piece of correspondence from the Hon Member. I am assured by the BTP that this oversight was exceptional and that steps have been put in place to ensure the correspondence from all Members of Parliament will be dealt with promptly.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4039", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Johnson of Marylebone"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Orpington"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Joseph Johnson"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-03-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-03-08T10:00:04.737Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-03-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "British Transport Police"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidance his Department has issued to the British Transport Police on the timescales for responding to correspondence from Members of Parliament.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1538", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rosie Cooper"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "West Lancashire"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Rosie Cooper"}
], "uin" : "130811"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/818776", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/818776/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Work to deliver the devolution of the functions of the British Transport Police in Scotland is being carried out alongside other Departmental activities associated with the Sponsorship of the British Transport Police Authority. The estimated cost, based on the salaries of officials engaged in this work in the current Financial Year is approximately £150,000. It is not possible to further disaggregate the costs of this work.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4039", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Johnson of Marylebone"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Orpington"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Joseph Johnson"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-01-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-01-17T13:04:07.187Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-01-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "British Transport Police"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the current cost to the taxpayer is from his Department\u2019s (a) administrative, (b) chairing and (c) other responsibilities for the British Transport Police Integration Joint Programme Board.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4000", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ian Mearns"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Gateshead"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Ian Mearns"}
], "uin" : "121540"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/751462", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/751462/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " This is an operational matter for the Chief Constable. We have been informed by the British Transport Police (BTP) that there are no current plans to change the number of BTP control centres.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3926", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Paul Maynard"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Blackpool North and Cleveleys"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Paul Maynard"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-07-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-07-17T16:28:18.377Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2017-07-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "British Transport Police"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to change the number of British Transport Police control centres.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4426", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Paula Sherriff"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Dewsbury"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Paula Sherriff"}
], "uin" : "4755"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/750875", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/750875/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " In agreeing the British Transport Police Authority\u2019s proposals for efficiency savings as part of the Spending Review, it was made clear that any savings should ensure that any material impact on the operational capability of the British Transport Police (BTP) is minimised; counter terrorist activity was exempt from the Spending Review process. The efficiency savings target includes the BTP\u2019s core policing activities only; enhanced policing services, which are provided to operators on request on a commercial basis, are excluded from the target.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3926", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Paul Maynard"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Blackpool North and Cleveleys"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Paul Maynard"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-07-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-07-17T13:20:59.663Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2017-07-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "British Transport Police"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what capabilities are exempt from his Department\u2019s target for efficiency savings by the British Transport Police.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4426", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Paula Sherriff"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Dewsbury"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Paula Sherriff"}
], "uin" : "4165"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/750877", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/750877/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Government is considering a broad range of options to optimise the protection of critical infrastructure such as nuclear sites and railways, including the future roles of the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, the Ministry of Defence Police and the British Transport Police.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3926", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Paul Maynard"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Blackpool North and Cleveleys"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Paul Maynard"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-07-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-07-17T12:50:16.537Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2017-07-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "British Transport Police"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether it is his policy for the British Transport Police to be merged with other police forces; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4426", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Paula Sherriff"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Dewsbury"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Paula Sherriff"}
], "uin" : "4167"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/746186", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/746186/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) publishes information on the staffing levels in the British Transport Police (BTP) in its annual Policing Plan, the most recent one of which is available at http://btpa.police.uk/publications/policing-plans/<\/a>.<\/p> <\/p> We understand that the BTP will be responding to a recent FOI request with information on its staffing levels in London (as funded by Transport for London) and elsewhere later this month. It is BTP\u2019s practice to publish the responses to FOI requests on the force website at the following link: http://www.btp.police.uk/about_us/your_right_to_information/publication_scheme/disclosure_log.aspx<\/a>.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3926", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Paul Maynard"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Blackpool North and Cleveleys"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Paul Maynard"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-07-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-07-06T16:24:39.503Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2017-06-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "British Transport Police"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to ensure that the British Transport Police publishes in full all information relating to its staffing levels in its operations (a) in London as funded by Transport for London and (b) elsewhere.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/151", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Tom Brake"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Carshalton and Wallington"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Tom Brake"}
], "uin" : "1914"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/600768", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/600768/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The two tables below show the number of British Transport Police Officers in each division in each of the last 6 years. It should be noted that British Transport Police underwent a Force-wide restructure in 2014 which changed the geographical structure from 7 divisional areas to 3.<\/p> <\/p>
<\/p><\/td> | No. of BTP Officers in each Division<\/p><\/td><\/tr> | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
<\/p><\/td> | 2016<\/p><\/td> | 2015<\/p><\/td> | 2014<\/p><\/td><\/tr> | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A Force Headquarters<\/p><\/td> | 436<\/p><\/td> | 421<\/p><\/td> | 342<\/p><\/td><\/tr> | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
B Division<\/p><\/td> | 1460<\/p><\/td> | 1536<\/p><\/td> | 1475<\/p><\/td><\/tr> | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
C Division<\/p><\/td> | 880<\/p><\/td> | 928<\/p><\/td> | 919<\/p><\/td><\/tr> | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
D Division<\/p><\/td> | 218<\/p><\/td> | 215<\/p><\/td> | 218<\/p><\/td><\/tr> | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total<\/p><\/td> | 2994<\/p><\/td> | 3100<\/p><\/td> | 2954<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table> <\/p>
|