Public Servant Lifestyle

BBC television’s documentary series Rail Cops showed BTP policing in the real world, according to the Chief Constable of Britain’s transport police force.

Rail Cops, a four part series broadcast on BBC ONE earlier in the year showed the reality of transport policing in 21st Century Britain, according to the force's Chief Constable.

"I think what the public will appreciate about these programmes is that they show police dealing effectively with everyday issues, the sort of anti-social behaviour and disruption that really concerns them," said British Transport Police Chief Constable Ian Johnston.

"Value of Routine Policing"

"The public has consistently told us how they value seeing bobbies out on the beat and we have ourselves sometimes undervalued the contribution that patrol and other day to day police duties make. The media, as well, often focus on the more dramatic aspects of policing, but I think these four programmes show the real value of routine policing, and the care and humanity, which ordinary police officers demonstrate daily, while trying to do a very difficult job."

Data released by the Home Office shows that a third of people cite anti-social behaviour as a major problem, and the Government is planning a new Bill on the subject. BTP officers patrolling Britain’s rail system are in the front line of dealing with anti-social behaviour and the force is taking a lead in using existing Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) legislation. Over 50 ASBOs relating to the rail system are currently in the pipeline.

In Rail Cops, the six officers featured in the series, together with their colleagues in BTP, were seen dealing with a vulnerable person at King’s Cross railway station, with children trespassing on railways property, fatalities, undercover on a operation to curb train carriage graffiti artists, an assault on the London Underground and the victim of a sexual assault.

Awareness

"I want the public to gain a greater awareness that when they travel by rail, there are police officers working hard to minimise crime, disorder and disruption. I believe they will be reassured by what they see and will be more confident about their personal security," added BTP Chief Constable Ian Johnston.

"Disruption to train services is enormously frustrating – and not just for the travelling public. 54% of train incidents are caused by vandalism. Other crimes and anti-social behaviour also cause delays, and the railways have to deal with over 250 fatalities a year. Rail Cops shows how the BTP, as an integral part of the rail industry, is playing its part in tackling the issues that cause that disruption."

A major new series of documentaries, Rail Cops was produced by Roger Graef and made by Films of Record for the BBC, directed by Nick Poyntz. The idea behind the series was to give people a better understanding of the realities of policing, to help reduce fear of crime and give the public greater confidence in using the UK’s railways. By focusing on certain officers, the programmes can only cover a small part of the activities of the BTP – CID and football policing for instance are two major areas not covered by the programme makers. Nevertheless, they give a valuable insight into how BTP works as a team with rail staff for the benefit of passengers.

You can read a whole feature on the making of Rail Cops here and more about the work of British Transport Police here.

More information available in Professional Groups, TV & Radio