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RAILDIST studies how UK transport police |
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Railway District (RAILDIST) Commander Tam Chak-hang and Senior Inspector Lai Kuen-wai visited the British Transport Police (BTP), national police force based in London for the railways, and were greeted by the Chief Constable, Mr Andy Trotter. In the London Olympics and Paralympics Games 2012, BTP's transport security strategy formed an integral part of the National Policing Strategy for tackling major security threats posed by terrorism, widespread public disorder and crimes. The strategic objective was to ensure the railway environment was safe and a reliable and accessible rail transport was provided for 10 million local and overseas spectators, 50,000 athletes, Olympic families and the media over a period of 64 days. As the single biggest UK policing operation ever, and under considerable pressure, meticulous planning had gone into preparations. The BTP looked very critically at their procedures and resource allocation in order to achieve a sustained effect that would bring benefits to the Games and into the future. In addition to putting in place enhanced resources and procedures, officers from other UK police forces were brought in to London to help police the rail network, with as many as some 12,000 officers deployed at peak times. The delegation visited the London Underground and Light Dock Railway to study security strategy, debriefings for the Games and day-to-day operations of the rail network, and shared experiences with officers from the Counter Terrorism Support Unit, Area Intelligence Bureau, BTP Dog Section and other headquarters units. During a tour of the 90,000-capacity Wembley Stadium in London and the joint BTP-Metropolitan police command centre, the delegation was briefed on how a national event involving multi-police forces was policed. Speaking after the visit, Mr Tam said: "The visit to the London BTP was an eye-opening experience. For the largest single UK policing operation ever, the national policing strategy was very comprehensively designed. Much reference can be drawn from their operations, successes and lessons learned for the Railway District to take on future challenges." |
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