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any of us will remember surrounding force firearms units to
like it was yesterday the concentrate on their own geographical
horrific events of 7/7. commitments. During the Olympics
MInnocent people going the BTP Firearms Team worked flat
about their daily commute, murdered by out protecting the public and ensuring
terrorists. T e following days and weeks that all those using the London rail
left many people nervous about travelling network felt constantly reassured by
on the London transport network. As their presence.
a commuter myself, using one of the Cheshire Firearms Training delivered
main London hub stations, Kings Cross, the initial firearms courses for the BTP
it was apparent soon after the dreadful Officers. All officers are trained in the
events that extra security would be single search system and are constantly
required as a deterrent against any other developing new tactics and techniques
attacks. Within days armed officers from to meet the demands of policing railway
around the Met were posted patrolling stations with firearms. Classification
railway stations and surrounding areas. shoots and training are mostly carried out
It always made logical sense for the in London working alongside the City
British Transport Police to have its own of London Police. T e Force has recently
designated armed unit and in February been informed that they will soon have
2012 they introduced their new Firearms an interim firearms training license from
Unit, now part of the Counter Terrorism the Police College.
Support Unit, to patrol key hub stations. T e unit uses Mercedes Vito vans to
Made up of serving BTP officers and a carry officers to and from stations. T e
number of retired firearms officers from vans have the familiar battenberg livery
other forces, the unit has gone from and yellow dots. As well as the usual
strength to strength. Between February plethora of radios, they also carry:
2012 and December 2012 the unit, four t MOE kit
teams made up of a sergeant and twelve t Medic packs
constables, had carried out some 1359 t Various shields – short and long
patrols. I met up with some old friends t Ceramic plates
and new friends on a visit to their base in t Ballistic helmets
North London and was impressed with T e officers themselves patrol in flat
what I saw. caps, which may look nice in the eyes
Policing our railways has been the of some but are totally impractical, and
responsibility of the British Transport would have to be ditched at the first
Police since 1830 when it was deemed sign of dealing with any incidents. T eir
necessary to police the railway for the uniform however is practical and smart:
protection and safety of passengers and t 5.11 cargo trousers
railway staff. With over 1000 miles track t Black wicking tops
and some 3000 stations to police, there t Keela Jackets
is no doubting it’s a mammoth task. t Lowa Boots
Headed up by Chief Constable Andy Being a new unit has allowed the BTP
Trotter, BTP has evolved, probably to evaluate what others use and pick out
beyond the wildest imagination of some, the best bits. I noticed nothing uniform-
and maybe to the displeasure of others. wise was copied from the Met!
T e sight of firearms officers patrolling Some forces need to wake up and
key rail stations is becoming a familiar smell the coffee. It does sometimes feel
one, and it’s plain to see, particularly that the people who make decisions on
from those that use stations regularly, uniform, and I mean the ones that sign
that the public is reassured by their it off, bear much resemblance to WW1
presence. T ere were no doubt ‘gasps’ Generals!
of dissatisfaction within the more senior T e unit trialed several weapons and
ranks about having a firearms capability, decided that the most suitable for the
but the benefits to public safety and role were:
security are immeasurable. It also allows t Lewis Machine Tool (LMT)