The merging of railway policing into Police Scotland has moved a step closer with publication of a Bill in Parliament.
The Railway Policing (Scotland) Bill gives railway policing powers to the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) and Police Scotland, in preparation for the integration of British Transport Police in Scotland. The Bill also creates an obligation for the SPA and Chief Constable to engage regularly with railway operators on railway policing, and obtain the views of rail passengers and other interested persons, about policing of railways.
Meanwhile, the SNP Scottish Government says that it’s committed to providing a โtriple-lock guaranteeโ that secures jobs, pay and pension conditions through the integration. Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said: โBritish Transport Police plays a valuable role in keeping Scotlandโs railways safe and we will ensure railway policing has a strong future and is fully accountable to the people of Scotland. Safety will always be our top priority and rail passengers and staff will continue to receive the high standards of security on our rail network that they are used to, throughout the period of integration and beyond.
โWe have listened closely to the issues raised by the rail industry, policing services and unions and we have offered a triple-lock guarantee that secures jobs, pay and pension conditions through the course of integration. We have been assured by Police Scotland that the specialist knowledge, skills and experience of BTP officers and staff will be protected and maintained within Scotlandโs wider policing service. As part of Police Scotland, railway policing will benefit from their local support, specialist resources and expertise.
โCross-border policing will continue to be seamless in both directions. Police Scotland has excellent relationships with their counterparts and we are working with the UK Government to ensure police have appropriate powers for the entire duration of cross-border journeys.โ
And Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins, of Police Scotland, said: “We are committed to working with Scottish Government, BTP, Staff Associations, both Police Authorities and other stakeholders to ensure that should the Bill be passed that the integration of BTP (Scotland Division) with Police Scotland is seamless. The priority for Police Scotland is to ensure all of our communities, including people who work and use the rail network, are kept safe.”
For background, visit https://consult.scotland.gov.uk/police-division/transport-police/consult_view.
