10,000 Miles of Railway. One National Police Force.

Every day, British Transport Police (BTP) helps protect millions of people travelling across Britain’s rail network. Our officers police more than 10,000 miles of railway and over 3,000 stations, depots and transport hubs across England, Scotland and Wales.

Our work goes beyond the mainline railway. We also police some of Britain’s busiest transport systems, including the London Underground, Docklands Light Railway and a number of tram and light rail networks.

This means our officers can work in very different environments, from busy city-centre stations and major transport hubs to smaller stations and rural railway routes.

What does railway policing involve?

Railway policing brings its own challenges and responsibilities. Our officers respond to a wide range of situations, including:

• protecting and supporting vulnerable people;
• responding to and investigating crime;
• tackling antisocial behaviour;
• helping to find missing people;
• responding to major incidents;
• helping keep people safe during major events;
• working alongside other police forces, emergency services and the rail industry; and
• supporting work to protect the railway and the people who use it from serious threats, including terrorism.

Because trains and passengers travel across different towns, cities and regions, incidents can also cross traditional police force boundaries. Our officers and teams work across the network to make sure people receive the police response they need.

Developing your career with BTP

You won’t be expected to know everything about railway policing when you join us.

We’ll provide the training, operational support and development opportunities you need to understand the railway environment, develop your skills and build your confidence.

As your experience grows, you’ll have opportunities to continue learning, develop your career and explore different areas of policing.

At BTP, you’ll be part of a specialist police force with a national reach, protecting the journeys that connect people, communities and businesses across Great Britain.