The continually expanding network of railways gave criminals new opportunities to move around the country and commit crime. The railways were pioneers of the electric telegraph and its use often involved the arrest of criminals arriving or departing by train. On 1 January 1845 a railway police sergeant became the first person to arrest a murderer following the use of an electric telegraph. Policing has come a long way but major problems persist, says outgoing Chief Inspector of Constabulary 10 March 2022 The Home Office DTELS callsign for BTP is 'M2BX' and their events control suite is 'M2AZ' for force-wide events and incidents, and the South East and 'M2AY' for Outer London events and incidents.

This consists of a special chief officer, a special superintendent, three special chief inspectors (one for A & E Division, one for B Division and one for C & D Division), a number of special inspectors and a number of special sergeants per Sub-Division.

British Transport Police is committed to building a flexible workplace that empowers our people to make choices that supports a work/life balance that works for them and our organisation. When in Scotland, execute an arrest warrant, warrant of commitment and a warrant to arrest a witness (from England, Wales or Northern Ireland), [80] and

Corresponence and other records relating to railways staff conferences, covering topics which include pay and conditions, in RAIL 1172 Rail Value for Money Study: British Transport Police Review" (PDF). Orr.gov.uk . Retrieved 17 February 2019.

Joint Emergency Response Unit launched in Scotland". British Transport Police. 31 July 2014 . Retrieved 12 September 2015. throughout Great Britain for a purpose connected to a railway or to anything occurring on or in relation to a railway.

a b "Report on an announced inspection visit to police custody suites of the British Transport Police" (PDF). 2014 . Retrieved 31 August 2020. Rest assured, you’ll be fully trained on how to deal with the challenges of policing, which will really build your confidence, natural ability and enthusiasm. The Firearms Unit whilst training firearms officers to Armed Response Vehicle (ARV) standard does not conduct ARV patrols, however, uses vehicles to transport officers and tactical equipment to and from stations. [66] [67]In May 2017, as part of the response to the Manchester Arena bombing, it was announced that firearms officers would patrol on board trains outside London for the first time. [69]

Other records on railway policing overseas were created by the Colonial Office, Dominions Office and Foreign Office. Their records have the departmental codes CO, DO and FO respectively. The BTPis the national police force for the railways in the UK. It is responsible for policing the Tube, DLR, Trams, London Overground, IFS Cloud Cable Car and the rail network in London. The Railways Act 1921 amalgamated over one hundred separate railway systems (of which about 20 had organised police forces) into four groups: E Division (Specialist Operations) was formed in 2020, removing the counter-terrorism units and assets from A Division, and placing them into their own division. Transport Police (Jurisdiction) Act 1994". Statutelaw.gov.uk. 24 March 1994 . Retrieved 8 June 2009.The force retains one designated custody suite that is operational at Brewery Road in London (20 cells), where persons arrested within a reasonable travelling distance are taken. A number of other BTP custody suites were operational in London but these were closed in 2017 due to concerns regarding the time that it took to transport prisoners there. [48]