FOR B DIVISION STAKEHOLDERS

Issue 08 OCTOBER 2015

Tacklingdisruption

10 Crime statisticsAnnual report 2014/15

to Platform – the B Division magazine that aims to keep you in the know about how we at BTP are policing the rail network across London, the East and South of England.

In this issue, we look at how we are working with partners to tackle disruption and the associated lost minutes the industry can suffer if we’re not all working together. We take a look at our annual report for 2014/15 and let you know how we’re performing.

We also find out about the vital role special constables play in keeping the network safe and secure. There’s a focus on the Rugby World Cup, one of the largest sporting events in the world happening right here across B Division.

We will be back in the new year with a fresh new look to Platform. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this autumn issue and look forward to hearing any feedback you have.

T/Chief SuperintendentJason Bunyard

Welcome 04 In the NewsBTP recognised for fingerprint expertise

0760 seconds with ...Special Constable Bradshaw

08 Special reportTackling disruption

12 OperationsRugby World Cup 2015

15 Crime UpdateCourt Report

Contents

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Follow Jason on Twitter@BTP_B_Division

Report crime or incidents on your train discreetly. Text: 61016

To report a crime or incident, call 0800 40 50 40

In an emergency call 999

0707

12

08Visit btp.police.uk

@BTP Thank you 4 what you do 2 encourage public 2 report offences and 4 working 2 identify /prosecute.

@BTP_B_Divison I think Btp need a fly on the wall documentary showing all the fantastic work that you do.

What a good idea by British Transport Police. Text 61016 to discreetly report vandals and troublemakers on the trains.

TweetsCover image courtesy of Network Rail

In the News

Finger on the pulseOur Scientific Support Unit’s laboratory has achieved the prestigious United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) accreditation for its accurate test methods and procedures. It operates using chemical treatments and intense light sources and records evidence using digital photography.

Faharna Nanji, Scientific Support Manager, said: “I am immensely proud of our team for being

It’s official - BTP has the most comprehensive fingerprint enhancement laboratory in the UK.

TfL cycle week rides to successBike thieves are in for a harder time after 150 bikes were marked at 25 locations across London last month. As part of a London cycle security week, TfL sub division officers worked alongside Transport for London, Bike Register, the Met and City of London Police to help reduce bike theft and increase cycle security and safety across the capital. From 7 to 13 September, cycle security surgeries were held across London. Officers marked bikes with a unique code that registers their bicycle with Bike Register. This acts as a deterrent to thieves and makes it easier to track stolen bikes. Amersham station was the busiest, with 23 bikes marked in four hours. Officers marked bikes worth a total of £93,000. PC Adam Mason, who led the cycle week, said: “Over 150 bicycles were marked and registered. This was achieved through the hard work of officers who were at the various hotspots throughout London and we’re looking forward to opportunities for similar events in the future.”

On your bike,Colchester!

recognised in this way – the accreditation really puts us at the forefront of modern policing while demonstrating the validity of our tests and ultimately guaranteeing accurate results.

“The Home Office Centre of Applied Science and Technology (CAST) is also going through the accreditation process and recently visited us to learn from our approach and understand how our systems work. It’s great that BTP is leading the way in this field.”

Young commuters were given advice on how to travel around London safely by B Division officers at the London Transport Museum on11 August.

Sergeant Terry Page and his team led a safety workshop outside the museum with a focus on how to stay safe when using the bus, tube, road or when riding a bike. Children were given cards and encouraged to collect stamps every time they completed a scenario set by officers.

Sgt Page said: “It was great to have BTP officers and PCSOs at the workshop and also to be accompanied by London Underground staff and colleagues from the Metropolitan Police Service, as well as representatives from the British Red Cross, Royal National Lifeboat Institute and London Fire Brigade.”

Be Safe Week

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Colchester’s commuters are able to store their bikes securely thanks to the opening of Colchester North train station’s new storage facility.

Opened in September, it provides spaces for 140 bikes in a secure compound with CCTV and energy efficient lighting. The installation was funded by the Department for Transport, with assistance from Essex County Council and Colchester Borough Council.

Abellio Greater Anglia’s Customer Service Manager John Mannion and councillors from Essex County Council attended the opening, as well as members of the local community.

Sergeant Wendy Buck said: “We went along to provide free cycle marking and promote secure parking. Alongside Abellio Greater Anglia’s Making Travel Safer Officers, we gave out heavy duty cycle locks to commuters who leave their bikes at the station. We’re confident that by working together and raising awareness of bike security, we’ll deter thieves from operating in the area.”

Have you got what it takes to be a BTP Special Constable? For more information on how you can help us deliver a safe railway visit careers.btp.police.uk

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London Trams secures prestigious safety award

The annual Challenge Mastronardi football tournament brings together the rail family from across Europe, including officers and staff from BTP. The tournament began in 2003 to commemorate Antonio Mastronardi – a train driver who died in 2000 after children trespassed on to the railway and left a slab of concrete on the track which derailed the train.

As well as bringing together the European rail family, the tournament raises awareness of the dangers of trespassing on the railway and disruption this can cause. Each team takes it in turn to host the tournament and welcome guests from across the continent.This year it was hosted by BTP in Leicester.

BTP’s football secretary and organiser of the event Donal Maccraith said: “We’ve been all over Europe so it was an honour to host our counterparts here in England. Organising the weekend took a lot of time and dedication but it was definitely worth it.”

Representatives from BTP, Eurostar, SNCF (France), SNCB (Belgium), UZZ (Czech Republic), SBB (Switzerland), ZSR (Slovakia), MAV (Hungary) and OBB (Austria) took part.

The Czech Republic team fought off tough competition to win the trophy. Next year’s tournament will be held in Belgium and hosted by SNCB rail staff.

Beautiful game brings rail family together

The British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) has announced that Brian Phillpott will take over as interim Chair following the departure of longstanding Chair Millie Banerjee.

Mr Phillpott will continue to work closely with members, the Chief Executive and BTP’s Chief Constable to maintain the strategy the Authority has set. The Department for Transport will appoint a permanent Chair before the end of the year.

When did you decide to become a Specialand why?

After I graduated from the University of Sussex with a politics degree, I applied to become a Special in Brighton. I was always really interested in criminal justice and law and order so the idea of joining the police excited me. However, I felt it was a big commitment to join as a full-time officer so becoming a Special allowed me to pursue a career in journalism at the same time.

What do you like most about being a Special?

It’s a high-energy job and is unlike any ‘civilian’ role I’ve ever worked in. When you start your shift, you have no idea what’s in store for you and your colleagues. The variety always keeps the job interesting. I enjoy being out on response and being one of the first officers on the scene of an incident, but I also enjoy neighbourhood policing and being involved in events such as the London Marathon, the Pride parades in Brighton and London, big football matches and the New Year’s Day parade. I’m always very proud to wear the uniform.

Tell us a bit about the training you receive before becoming a fully fledged Special Constable.

Due to the very specialised nature of policing the rail network and the industry we work in, you need to learn about railway byelaws as well as track safety procedures. Training is therefore a mix of classroom and practical work. The training is intense, as you’d expect, but also very sociable. You meet everyone in your cohort and there’s a fantastic camaraderie between everyone. There’s also a real diversity of people training – from managing directors, police staff, pilots and firefighters. The shared experience of training brings Specials together.

What would you say to someone considering applying to become a Special?

I still look forward to every shift and making a difference when I’m out patrolling or policing events. If you’re thinking about applying to become a Special, I couldn’t recommend it more highly.

Even after undergoing thorough training, there’s always someone with you when you start. You’re never thrown in at the deep end – unless you want to be! It’s definitely worth looking into the Employment Supported Policing scheme so you can work alongside being a ecial with the support of your employer.

Kit Bradshaw60

seconds with...

Special Constable

A London Tram stop complete with protective “bubble-wrap”.

London Trams has been awarded Secure Station accreditation for having safe and secure tram stops.

The company, which operates in Beckenham Junction, Croydon, and Wimbledon and beyond, was accredited after all 39 stops on the line were examined as part of the scheme run by BTP and the Department for Transport. The stops were found to be bright and welcoming, with help points and CCTV installed to reduce crime and discourage antisocial behaviour.

Inspector Jack Ioannou QPM said: “Achievement of this award is a credit to London Trams. This not an easy accreditation to achieve and this is testament to the high priority TfL and BTP place on ensuring that travelling by tram is a pleasant experience.”

Sharon Thompson, London Trams’ director, said: “I am delighted that London Trams has achieved this milestone. This is a credit to all staff for their hard work improving our stops, and it gives our customers confidence when travelling with us.”

BTPA interim Chair announced

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Success so far• Overall year to date reduction of ‘lost minutes’ to disruption is down by 26,641 or 7.7%

• Disruption due to fatalities has decreased by 26.2%

• Disruption due to vandalism has decreased by 8.2%

We’re working closely with colleagues at Network Rail under a comprehensive strategy aimed at reducing the impact of disruption on a rail network that has seen unprecedented growth in recent years. We take a look at how we’re rising to the challenge on B Division. At Network Rail, Chief Superintendent Paul Brogden is working alongside the National Task Force Forum to implement an industry-wide approach to disruption. This includes managing ‘steady state’ disruption (event planning and planned engineering works) and responding to ‘non-steady state’ disruption, such as trespass incidents. As part of work to improve command, control and communications at Network Rail’s

operating centre, a daily teleconference has been introduced involving industry partners. It reviews incidents from the previous day and examines any anticipated pinch points. A review of crowd management plans, emergency plans, and contingency plans across 18 Network Rail-managed stations is also under way. So far, London Bridge and Paddington stations have been reviewed with the rest to be completed by December. On B Division, Superintendent Gill Murray and Chief Inspector Tom Naughton are working on a division-wide strategy and tactical plan. Chief Inspector Naughton said: “After the success of rolling out Emergency Incident Units (EIUs) in response to major disruption, we’re looking at new ways to ensure lost minutes are kept to a minimum and trains are kept running safely and on time.”

Tackling disruption is a priority for BTP and our industry partners. That’s why we’ve committed to an ambitious target of reducing disruption on the railway by 20% by 2019.

Our new initiatives are• Bringing together partners (including security managers from different train operating companies across B Division) at BTP’s dedicated training suite to simulate real-life major rail incidents. • Working alongside rail industry partners, such as Land Sheriffs, to help protect railway land and property from disruptive and criminal trespass incidents. • Tightening up offender management processes to deal with obstruction and trespass offenders. • Delivering in-depth educational safety messages at schools near disruption hotspots. • Introducing a bespoke training course for BTP officers to become qualified Tactical Advisors. Once trained, they will be on hand to offer advice to those taking command of incidents.

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Tackling disruption (figures based on year to date, correct as of 1 October 2015)

Success so far• Overall year to date reduction of ‘lost minutes’ to disruption is down by 26,641 or 7.7%.

• Disruption due to fatalities has decreased by 26.2%. • Disruption due to vandalism has decreased by 8.2%.

Deputy Chief Constable Adrian Hanstock said: “I am delighted that crime on Britain’s railways has fallen for the eleventh year in a row.

“The outcome is even more remarkable when you reflect on the progress made over the last 11 years. In that time, vehicle and cycle crime has been driven down by 39 per cent, meaning 4,600 fewer offences, while 19,000 fewer people have been the victim of the theft of property, with crimes of this type down 61 per cent.”

Our 2014/15 annual report outlines the vital role BTP played in the last year to help the railway operate effectively and get the nation’s travelling public home every day safe, secure and on time.

For every million journeys, there were 25 crimes recorded

Annual Report 2014/15

Leading the way

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To find out more about how we’re leading the way in policing Britain’s railways visitbtpannualreport2014-15.tumblr.com

In 2014/15 we:

Reduced minutes lost due tocable theft and vandalism (down 45%)

Reduced notifiable crime by 5.4%

Achieved passenger confidence targets

Reduced recorded crime from 50,839 incidents to 46,688

Reduced theft of passenger property by 16%

Reduced robbery by 17%

Reduced fraud offences by 18%

In 2014/15 we

RugbyWorldCup2015

B Division officers, alongside BTP colleagues from elsewhere in the country, local authorities, and other transport partners and police forces are working closely to ensure the tournament runs smoothly.

Between Friday 18 September, and Saturday 31 October 400,000 overseas visitors are expected to visit England, Scotland and Wales to watch the games and enjoy the atmosphere of the fan zones.

Venues hosting Rugby World Cup games in B Division include: Wembley; the Olympic Stadium in Stratford; Brighton Community Stadium; and of course, the home of rugby itself - Twickenham.

To cater for the large number of fans likely to travel by rail in and around the capital for the Rugby World Cup, we have adopted a similar deployment strategy to the London Olympics in 2012. This includes high visibility policing and patrols at stations and on board trains.

One of the largest sporting events in the world.

“Preparations for the Rugby World Cup have been ongoing for a number of months. It’s been really useful to have so many partners on board working together to ensure as smooth an operation as possible. I’m confident that now the tournament is well under way it will be a huge success and spectators will remember it for all the right reasons.”

The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park stadium and the fanzone on Brighton beach.

Follow @BTP on Twitter for #RWC2015 updates and remember to have a #Gameplan before you travel to avoid disruptions.

Assistant Chief Constable, Steve Thomas

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A unique partnership betweenBritish Transport Policeand London Undergroundhas fought off stiff competitionto win a prestigiousnational rail award.

The Network Incident Response Team (NIRT) won the Outstanding Teamwork category at the National Rail Awards on Thursday 17 September. The NIRT has responsibility for the whole of London although they predominately work in zones one and two. The NIRT consists of six PCs and one Sergeant who cover their patch 24/7 along with a Network Incident Response Manager from London Underground. Deputy Chief Constable Adrian Hanstock said: “I’m delighted that our innovative partnership working with the industry has been formally recognised through winning this award.

“Congratulations to the team. This is a prime example of how we are working hand-in-hand with our industry partners to achieve the best results.”

Chief Inspector Chris Casey, from B Division Operations, said: “I have been really impressed by the excellent performance of the NIRT. The team delivers fantastic results every single day. I am pleased that it has been recognised nationally. I hear regular positive feedback from within the Force, Transport for London and elsewhere.”

Izzard, of Cassilis Road, London, was travelling on Sunday 8 March with a pit-bull type dog. He was heard using racist and inappropriate language whilst he stood on the platform at Shadwell Station. He then instructed the dog to attack a member of the public and also tried to punch him.

The court heard Izzard was asked to put the dog on a lead by a member of rail staff, who he verbally abused. Witnesses heard Izzard and a woman arguing and he kicked the dog multiple times.

BTP officers were called to the station and tried to restrain and arrest Izzard. The dog became aggressive and bit two of the officers, dragging one of them to the floor.

Detective Sergeant Dan Holmes said: “Izzard’s actions were appalling and were witnessed by families and children. The events which unfolded clearly terrified people who witnessed it.

“We take animal cruelty extremely seriously, and will not tolerate any type of violence or abuse on the railway network.”

Izzard was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Thursday, 10 September.

Michael Izzard, 52 has been handed a 30 month prison sentence after he was found guilty of using a dog to attack a police officer.

ESSEX BIKE THIEVES JAILED

COURTREPORT

PRISON FOR ATTEMPTED DOG ATTACK

A man who performed a sex act on himself and on a woman on a train has been jailed for 45 months.

Peter Fabiyi, 32, of Exmouth Road, Walthamstow, London, was sentenced at Blackfriars Crown Court on Wednesday 23 September after pleading guilty to sexual assault at an earlier hearing.

The court heard the victim, a woman in her 20s, boarded a train towards Mitcham Junction in July. After a few stops she realised Fabiyi was standing directly in front of her, with no one else in the carriage.

From viewing CCTV, officers investigating the incident were able to identify Fabiyi entering the train at Elephant and Castle and leaving at Tulse Hill. He was also spotted sliding under ticket barriers at Tulse Hill, to avoid detection via his Oyster card, before boarding a bus outside the station. He was arrested shortly after.

Fabiyi pleaded guilty at the preliminary hearing on Wednesday 19 August to a single count of sexual assault. He was sentenced and also made subject to a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) which prohibits him from approaching women sitting alone on trains except staff; or from travelling without an Oyster card, for a minimum of five years.

Detective Constable Jennifer Brown, who led the investigation, said: “This was a hugely shocking and frightening incident for this woman, and I commend her for having the awareness and courage to report the offence and support the prosecution. I would encourage anyone else in a similar position to do the same.

“BTP has a dedicated sexual offences unit to tackle exactly these types of offences and officers in this case carried out some excellent team work, analysing CCTV from in and around the station.”

JAILED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT

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Two Essex bike thieves have been jailed for four months each. Jason West, 24, of Avon Road, Colchester, and Lewis Wells, 25, of Tewkesbury Road, Clacton-on-Sea, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal. The court heard the duo had come to the notice of BTP officers investigating an increase in cycle thefts in the Colchester area in April this year. CCTV images of the two were circulated on police intelligence networks, leading to positive identification of the pair, and checks on their names with local auction sites revealed they had sold a number of bikes.

The court was told police comparison of stolen bikes with those sold by West and Wells yielded a number of matches. CCTV footage from an auction house also showed them with stolen cycles.

West and Wells were sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court on Thursday, 24 September.

Members of NIRT and London Underground receiving and celebrating the Outstanding Teamwork award.

AwardsNational Rail

14 15

Get in touch by emailDavid.Murdoch@btp.pnn.police.uk