British Transport Police

Spike in people using railway line as walking route in Dawlish

British Transport Police (BTP) and Network Rail have issued a stark warning after several recent incidents of trespass on the railway line in Dawlish, Devon.

While Network Rail completes work on the new sea wall which runs alongside the railway, the footpath has been closed and a safe, temporary route has been put in place between Dawlish and Dawlish Warren station.

Since...

Commendation for station supervisor who tackled attacker

A brave station supervisor who rugby tackled a man that was stabbing another to death, has been commended for his bravery.

On 8 August, father-of-five Wayne Fenton was murdered by Jamie Skinner at Plymouth railway station.

John Phare, 33, a member of Great Western Railway, saw what was happening and, despite the assailant still attacking and holding the knife, tackled Skinner...

Stay safe when using level crossings

British Transport Police (BTP) officers in the South West are urging the public to do their level best to stay safe when using crossings.

The call comes as they take part in the latest phase of Operation Look, a week of action (5–10 October), which will see extra patrols at a number of crossings.

BTP recorded more than 100 offences at crossings in the region during 2014/15,...

Crime on railways in the SW falls

The specialist police force for the rail network released crime figures for its Western sub-division* today (Wednesday, 19 August) alongside its national annual report, which showed crime had fallen across Britain’s railways for the eleventh consecutive year.

Superintendent Matt Allingham, Western sub-divisional commander, said: “Our job is to make sure all rail passengers can get to...

Appeal after teen touched inappropriately on train

Officers from British Transport Police (BTP) are appealing for witnesses after a young girl was touched and spoken to inappropriately on a train towards Cheltenham Spa.

The offence took place on Monday, 4 May on the 2.17pm Cross Country service from Birmingham New Street to Plymouth, which arrived at Cheltenham at 3.15pm.

PC Ben Smith, investigating, said: “During the journey,...

Help tackle public transport sex pests

Officers from British Transport Police (BTP) are encouraging passengers to report any unwanted sexual behaviour on the transport network.

A short film called Report it to stop it, promoted through Video on Demand channels such as All4 (formerly 4OD), Now TV and YouTube, follows a woman’s journey in which she experiences escalating incidents of unwanted sexual behaviour on board a train...