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Report highlights transport police failings

22/ 6/2004

BRITISH Transport Police has a "groaning" infrastructure which is "impoverished and inadequate", a report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary said today.

Solutions to key questions have been delayed, with the handling of calls process in "acute crisis".

Crime management had "moved forward little in three years", although the force had improved on many other fronts.

Theft of passengers' property had soared 30% since the last report two-and-a-half years ago and the detection rate in this area was a "derisory" 2.5%.

Robbery was reduced by 32% and detections raised by 26% but violent crime (excluding robbery) had "worryingly" risen 20%, although the detection rate had improved by 11%.

The report added that BTP's record of clearing up the most serious offences was "very good" and there was "professional competence and confidence".

But it said that BTP capacity had been diluted by the investigations into rail crashes and there was a need to review roles and responsibilities involving BTP, the Health and Safety Executive and the newly established Rail Accident Investigation Branch.

There was scope to improve detection rates and recent investment in forensic facilities needed to be reinforced.

With the sole exception of London Underground, train operators had been "loath to fund the force to the required level", added the report.

Disaster

It pointed out that "little has been done" to safeguard BTP's core business and IT systems in the event of a terrorist attack or a natural disaster.

The report said: "The force has continued to lack a comprehensive business planning process which links operational planning and procurement through a medium-term financial plan."

The report went on: "Solutions to key questions have been delayed and the force is left with an infrastructure that is impoverished and inadequate.

"Call handling and IT and communications generally need more money and attention and the capacity to manage projects and change had the methodology but not the people."

BTP Chief Constable Ian Johnston said: "This is a helpful report that both recognises where we have done well and points out areas where we need to improve."

He added: "At times we do struggle because of the lack of funding and people. Having said that there are aspects of our performance highlighted by the report which can be radically improved without additional funding.

"The way we manage human resources, project management and our business continuity plans are among those."