Transport Secretary Alistair Darling has announced a new £30 million three year capital funding settlement for the British Transport Police as he opened their new London South Headquarters.
This, the Government says, will enable the BTP to:
Install modern communications equipment
Renew voice and data networks
Continue standardisation of information systems with other Police forces
Implement a vehicle replacement programme and purchase additional counter terrorism vehicles
What they say
Alistair Darling said: "The £30 million package in its first year alone more than doubles this current year’s allocation. This sharp increase in investment is a recognition of the huge pressures the force now faces. The funding package alongside the decision by the Authority to increase its own resource budget will give the force better communication equipment, improved links with other police forces and greater strength to deal with terrorism."
The new London South area Headquarters which Alistair Darling opened in March will be based at Ivason House in London Bridge. It will be responsible for policing stations and trains in south London and the southern Home Counties.
The new building will improve communication by bringing together functions such as the Crime Management centre, the Operations Department and Case Building Team. The move also frees room elsewhere for the additional police officers and Police Community Support Officers which have recently been recruited.
Alistair Darling added: "It is crucial that the London South BTP have good facilities in which to conduct their work as a quarter of recorded crime and almost half of all robberies occur in this region. Even with such a tough area the BTP has actually done remarkably well with robberies down and the detection rate up on last year. However, passengers and staff deserve better and I am now convinced the force has the right finance and structures in place to give people the freedom to travel more safely and securely."
About BTP
The new BTP London South Area HQ is at Ivason House, 8a London Bridge Street, London SE1 9SG. The Area HQ has moved from Ebury Bridge, SW1. That building, which houses Custody and Identification Suites, is now reverting to its original purpose as an operational police station covering south London stations, including the London termini at Charing Cross, London Bridge, Victoria and Waterloo. The British Transport Police covers the rail system across Britain including London Underground and some tram networks. The London South Area covers National Rail stations in south London, Kent, Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire, including the Croydon Tramlink.
