Humza Yousaf

The Scottish Railways Policing Committee, agreed by the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) and the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA), aims to improve accountability and facilitate a stronger role for the SPA in relation to railway policing.

The committee’s responsibilities will include: reviewing and reporting on the planning and performance of railway policing in Scotland; reviewing and reporting on the co-operation and close working of Police Scotland and the British Transport Police and scrutinising British Transport Police’s public and stakeholder engagement work.

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf announced in August 2018 all options for the devolution of railway policing would be re-examined.

Mr Yousaf said: “This is a complex piece of work and represents a great step forward for the accountability and transparency of railway policing in Scotland. It will also ensure the continued safety and security of the travelling public.”

Ron Barclay-Smith, chair of the BTPA, said: “A great deal of work has gone into finding an adequate solution for the management and scrutiny of rail policing in Scotland that works best for all involved, including police staff, officers, passengers and rail staff.”