What is the Police Authority happy for British Transport Police not to do?
That’s the message from BTP Federation, whose Chair, Stuart Cowan has expressed grave concerns over a funding settlement for the Force, which it says will “devastate the essential services and initiatives that help keep rail users safe and maintain trust and confidence in BTP”.
At a Full Authority Meeting held on Tuesday 10 December, members of the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) agreed on a budget settlement for British Transport Police. At 4.6%, the settlement falls far short of what the Force had requested.
Stuart Cowan has written to the Chair of the BTPA, Ron Barclay-Smith, urging him to consider alternative solutions that do not compromise public safety.
The letter sets out the Federation’s concerns about the impact of the funding settlement on response times, community engagement, investment in technology, officer and staff wellbeing, recruitment and retention, and training.
Stuart Cowan said: “I cannot see how BTP can continue meeting all its current commitments with a smaller budget. Therefore, given these funding limitations, I must ask what the Authority is happy for BTP not to do.
“As crime rates and the travelling public's needs evolve, BTP must be equipped to meet these challenges head-on and I will be asking Ministers to intervene.”