Ollie'sPolice Handbook
All procedures
BTP

BTP Jurisdiction — On & Off the Network

Quick reference for British Transport Police officers on where powers apply and how to handle off-network incidents.

The steps

  1. 1

    On the network

    Full constable powers throughout England, Wales and Scotland on or in respect of the railway (RTSA 2003 s.31).

  2. 2

    Off the network — railway purpose

    Powers apply where the matter relates to railway business — pursuit, witnesses, evidence, suspects who have left railway property.

  3. 3

    Off the network — non-railway

    Acting as 'any person' — common law / s.24A PACE citizen's arrest powers, plus duty to act under Code of Ethics. Hand to local force at earliest opportunity.

  4. 4

    Mutual aid

    Cross-deployments under s.32 RTSA preserve all constable powers in the receiving force area.

Related Acts & sections

RTSA 2003
s.31 BTP Jurisdiction

Defines where BTP constables have the powers and privileges of a constable — on or in respect of the railways, in connection with a railway, and elsewhere where appropriate.

RTSA 2003
s.32 Mutual Aid

Provides for BTP officers to assist other Home Office forces (and vice versa) under mutual aid arrangements.

References