Author: Martin McKay

DCC Hanstock awarded Queen’s Police Medal in 2021 New Year Honours List

DCC Adrian Hanstock

The Deputy Chief Constable of the British Transport Police (BTP) has been awarded the Queen’s Police Medal (QPM) in Her Majesty The Queen’s 2021 New Year Honours for his substantial contribution to UK policing over a 37-year career and his unwavering focus on keeping more than 3 billion passenger journeys safe each year.

Adrian Hanstock joined BTP in 2014 as its Deputy Chief Constable (DCC), becoming a trusted and highly respected senior leader both with colleagues in the force and stakeholders across the railway industry.

He has provided outstanding operational leadership, whether tackling serious crimes, safeguarding vulnerable people or in response to major incidents. DCC Hanstock has also overseen the transformation of BTP and its investment in modern digital capabilities, enhanced approach to crime investigation and has embedded improvements in force standards.

He has been active in strengthening the diversity of the force and has driven improvements in wellbeing services available for frontline officers and staff.

Before joining BTP, DCC Hanstock had a distinguished career at the Metropolitan Police Service in which he led highly sensitive operations to combat gun crime and organised drug trafficking, as well as taking operational control on each day of the 2012 London Olympic Games, ensuring international competitors, dignitaries and spectators could travel safety between Olympic venues and around London.

For eight years he has been the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for the use of stop and search powers and provides guidance to police leaders across the country, setting operational direction that has delivered better operational outcomes and enhanced community confidence. He has influenced policy at government level and introduced national guidelines to support the effective and fair use of this police power.

DCC Hanstock is also a founder trustee of the Railway Dogs Benevolent Fund, a charity established to provide welfare support for retired police dogs.

Chief Constable Paul Crowther CBE said:

“I’m very proud to see Adrian’s commitment recognised by Her Majesty in her New Year Honours awards. Adrian has made a substantial impact to UK policing and is an inspirational role model who consistently delivers beyond what is expected. His dedication to policing for more than 35 years, with a clear focus on protecting the public, is of the highest order and I am pleased to see this recognised in the Honours List.”

Deputy Chief Constable Adrian Hanstock QPM said: 

“I am thrilled to receive this honour. The announcement is a wonderful surprise and to be awarded a QPM is an incredible privilege.

“The past year has presented some unimagined challenges however I am fortunate to work with some talented individuals and teams who every day dedicate their lives to protecting the public and seeking justice for those targeted by offenders, let alone tackle the extraordinary issues that 2020 presented.

“I would particularly like to acknowledge their exceptional professionalism and dedication to public service in accepting this award, as well as express my gratitude for the outstanding support of family and friends over the years.”

Source: BTP

See also: Honours, Decorations & Medals table

New Entry in the Virtual Bookshelf

Today, we have a new book on our virtual bookshelf, just a reminder that we already have quite a collection on the shelf, but we are always looking for new entries.

 

Operation Cabinet

OPERATION CABINET – The Inside Story

by Paul Kenyon

Paul Kenyon tells the factual story of how as a young Detective, he helped mastermind a police operation that saw the demise of a group of International, Liverpudlian based Burglars, who plundered their way throughout Europe and beyond.

The investigation was codenamed Operation Cabinet.

As well as working with a number of other forces in the investigation, Paul also worked alongside his ex-British Transport Police colleagues and they are featured prominently  in the book.

An ideal read for the long dark winter evenings.

Published by Discovery Publications UK

ISBN 9781838535049

228 pages. Softback.

Price £8.45 available from Amazon

Paul is an ex BTP officer joining in Liverpool in 1971. He was on the same initial Home Office recruit courses at Bruche, Warrington and then at Tadworth with Bill Rogerson. He then left to join the newly formed Port of Liverpool Police in 1976 as a Detective Constable.

Paul has very generously agreed to donate a percentage of any profit from the sale of the book to the British Transport Police Welfare Fund and the North West Police Benevolent Fund. 

Lucy D’Orsi announced as new BTP Chief Constable

DAC Lucy D’Orsi

The British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) have announced that Lucy D’Orsi has been appointed as Chief Constable of the British Transport Police (BTP).  She will take up her appointment early in the New Year.

Lucy is currently the Metropolitan Police’s Deputy Assistant Commissioner (DAC) for Specialist Operations. The current BTP Chief Constable Paul Crowther CBE is set to retire in February 2020 after 40 years of distinguished continuous service with the Force.

Lucy joined the Metropolitan Police Service in 1992. She has extensive experience working across multiple London boroughs and held the role of Commander East London. Lucy is currently Counter Terrorism Policing’s Senior National Coordinator for Protective Security and Preparedness. She works closely with UK businesses, UK military and International law enforcement agencies. Lucy is a gold public order commander and has led the policing of multiple events.

Lucy currently has London responsibilities for Royalty and Specialist Protection, Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection, Aviation Policing and Protective Security. She recently led on the Centenary celebrations for 100 years of Metropolitan Police Women and is also the National Police lead for Taser and Counter Drone UK capabilities.

Lucy says: “I am delighted and honoured to be appointed as the next Chief Constable of BTP. I am looking forward to building on the legacy that Paul is handing over and I would like to thank him for his dedication to policing. Whilst policing the Nation’s capital has given me a wealth of operational experience, I am excited to lead a force that deals with the unique nature of policing Britain’s rail, underground and tram network. Working with industry partners and government to keep passengers safe, the railway moving and protect our critical national infrastructure, particularly during these uncertain times will be very rewarding. I very much look forward to working with the exceptional officers and staff of BTP, and the Police Authority. Finally, I would like to thank my family, friends and colleagues who have supported me throughout my policing career.”

BTPA Chair, Ron Barclay-Smith, says: “We believe that Lucy will bring valuable skills and insightful leadership to BTP, at a time when there is an uncertain future for Britain’s rail landscape. With the changing nature of crime and demand on the railway following Covid-19, and the need for ever closer working between BTP and train operators, we feel that Lucy’s strong blend of experience and aptitude position her well to lead BTP.  We are delighted she has agreed to take on this role.”

Lucy will provide effective leadership to a large, dispersed workforce of over 5,000 police officers and staff across England, Scotland and Wales, as well as leading constructive partnerships with the Department for Transport, the devolved administrations and the Rail Industry across Great Britain. She will develop BTP’s Strategy and lead BTP in delivering its service economically and efficiently, whilst simultaneously enhancing its reputation further for its innovative and bold approach on the national policing stage.

Lucy was chosen following a rigorous interview and assessment process led by the BTPA, the oversight body for the BTP. The appointment was approved by the Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps MP and endorsed by Scottish Justice Minister Humza Yousaf MSP.

Source: British Transport Police Authority

We Will Remember Them

As we approach Remembrance Sunday it is time to reflect on those RDC officers who were killed during the conflicts, either overseas or on duty.

A reminder that we have the Roll of Honour pages detailing those officers.

This year the Covid-19 pandemic means that the Royal British Legion will not have as many volunteers out distributing poppies, so please consider making a donation online.

Website Updates!

A bit of a bumper month for new content on the website, so time for our occasional reminder that in the ‘Pages’ column to the right of the screen we have a link called ‘Website Updates’.
Unsurprisingly this links to the Website Updates page. If you are a regular visitor to the site it’s a handy page to look at to see what new articles and items of interest have been added to the website recently.

Of course smaller items, such as photographs in the Photo Gallery, are being added all the time – so it’s still worth having a look around the site to see what you might find!

Plaque Refurbished

 

 

BTP Plaque

It recently became apparent that the BTP plaque on ‘The Beat’ at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire had been suffering due the affects of weathering over the years.

BTPHG Membership Secretary Glyn Thomas raised the matter with the Force, and Chief Constable Paul Crowther agreed to release funds to pay for the plaque to be refurbished. This was done and we are pleased to report that the refurbished plaque is now back in position.

Our thanks to the Chief Constable, his Senior Advisor Elaine Derrick, and the Grounds and Memorials staff at the National Memorial Arboretum for dealing with this matter promptly.

 

 

See also:

UK Police Memorial

Arboretum Tree

BTP officers and staff honoured for their service by Her Majesty The Queen

Three British Transport Police (BTP) officers and staff have been recognised by Her Majesty The Queen as part of her Birthday Honours. 

The three colleagues who have been honoured for services to policing are:

  • Detective Chief Inspector Kate Forsyth, based in London, is awarded a QPM.
  • Force Resources Manager Elizabeth McWhirter, based in Birmingham, is awarded an MBE.
  • Detective Superintendent Gary Richardson, based in London, is awarded an OBE.

Kate Forsyth from Kent, whose last day of service with BTP after 30 years coincided with the Birthday Honours announcement, was recognised for her extraordinary leadership skills.  She was praised in particular for her personal leadership following the terrorist attack at London Bridge in which she demonstrated dedication and professionalism on the night and in the days that followed.  She was also commended for her unwavering support to victims of crime which was mirrored by her determination to obtain justice for victims.

Elizabeth McWhirter, who is originally from Darwen (Lancashire) and settled in Staffordshire, has served at BTP for 15 years and has been recognised for services to policing and public safety.  She played a significant role in the planning of BTP’s response throughout the Covid-19 pandemic to safeguard critical rail services.  She is highly regarded within the Force and recognised as an individual who is totally committed to supporting her frontline colleagues deliver a highly visible and professional police service to the travelling public and rail staff.

Gary Richardson, who joined BTP in 2011 after 30 years’ service with the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), was recognised for his role in leading investigations into over 100 murders during his time with BTP and the MPS. His experience, determination, good judgement and compassion ensured investigations progressed swiftly with high detection rates.  He was described as an exceptional police officer, who provides a substantial reassuring presence to victims.

Chief Constable Paul Crowther CBE, said: “I’m very proud to see the hard work of BTP officers and staff recognised by Her Majesty as part of her Birthday Honours. Each colleague has showcased the very best in British policing, serving the public to the very highest standard and this recognition is well deserved.

“Kate, Liz and Gary have displayed leadership, selflessness and an unwavering commitment to ensuring that the millions of people travelling on Britain’s railway can do so safely. Each of them should be extremely proud of their achievement and I am delighted that they have been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.”

Detective Chief Inspector Kate Forsyth, said: “When I was first advised of the nomination I was totally shocked, and it took time for the magnitude of the honour to sink in.  I feel extremely privileged to be recognised in this way. It tops off a fulfilling, rewarding and enjoyable 30 years police service. It is also a reflection of those I have worked with over the years.”

Force Resources Manager Elizabeth McWhirter, said: “It is an absolute honour and privilege for me to accept this award and whilst it in an individual award I am always extremely grateful for the leadership, support and friendship I receive from all of my professional and extremely hard-working colleagues within BTP.

“An extra special thank you to whomever nominated me for this award and I am very much looking forward to finally sharing this secret with my family and friends.”

Detective Inspector Gary Richardson, said: “I’m truly honoured to receive such a prestigious award, but it is not so much a reflection on me as it is the collective hard work and effort of everyone in the Major Serious and Organised Crime team. It’s a privilege to work alongside them, and I am incredibly proud of all we have achieved together.”

Source: BTP

In addition, Carl Jason Foulkes, currently Chief Constable of North Wales Police, formerly a British Transport Police officer, and a BTPHG member, has been awarded the QPM.

And PC John Williams, of Greater Manchester Police, formerly with BTP, received the BEM for services to Policing and charity.