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!
A dedicated British Transport Police (BTP) employee credited with having a ‘profound impact on the force’ has been awarded an honour in The King’s Birthday 2025 Honours List.
Retiree Jane Horton, who served as Finance Planning and Analysis Manager up until her retirement last year, has received a BEM (British Empire Medal) for services to policing.
In her thirty years at BTP she is credited with advising senior leaders and helping strengthen stakeholder relations, and it was in no small part thanks to Jane’s financial expertise that additional policing could be secured for the launch of the Elizabeth line in 2022.
Through Jane’s efforts, the force was able to recruit and deploy extra officers for the opening. Such was her success that her plan has now been adopted for all future large-scale events.
Additionally, while working for BTP Jane was an active and dedicated volunteer, supporting the Force’s policing of the London Olympics in 2012.
Despite being retired she continues to commit her time to BTP, assisting in the training of police dogs and playing an integral role as an actor for major incident scenario planning.
On receiving this honour, Jane said: “When the post arrived, I stared at the envelope for a good 10 minutes – On His Majesty’s Service – trying to work out what it was that I had been handed. I was totally stunned when I opened the envelope, and still am to this day.
“During my years in BTP, there have certainly been some challenging times and I have tried to support operational policing through finance decisions. I am humbled to think that my contribution has been valued sufficiently to be nominated and I am honoured to accept this award on behalf of all the wonderful people who have worked with me over the years.”
Chief Constable Lucy D’Orsi said: “Jane’s contribution to BTP cannot be overstated – in her long career not only has she laid the financial groundwork for future large-scale operations but she continues to serve the Force with her tireless volunteering.
“I am extremely proud to see her efforts recognised with a British Empire Medal in His Majesty’s Birthday Honours and would like to congratulate her on this remarkable achievement.”
The BTP recently began to update the BTP logo / badge to incorporate the new crown.
The new logo features the chosen crown of His Majesty King Charles III.
When King Charles III acceded to the throne, he chose to use the Tudor Crown in his Royal Cypher. Previously, the St Edward’s Crown was used by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The design of the Tudor Crown can be distinguished by its slightly more domed appearance.
Guidance stipulates that the roll-out of the new badge should be in a gradual and cost-efficient manner. Several versions of the logo have been released for use – in full colour, white and blue; and in English, Welsh and bi-lingual.
Webmaster’s Note: Logo courtesy of BTP (Communications) Thanks to Kay Beal for letting us know.
Robert Smith, a PC with the London and North Eastern Railway Police, aged 64 years, was killed during the early hours of the morning of the 29th April 1942, during the biggest raid by the Luftwaffe carried out on York in World War Two. He was on duty in the police office when it took a direct hit.
He is recognised in the BTPHG Second World War Roll of Honour (RoH).
In 2017, the BTP History Group were responsible for identifying Robert’s grave. There was no headstone and the plot had become overgrown with vegetation. The BTPHG arranged for a memorial tribute to be held and a wooden cross was placed on the gravesite. The ceremony was attended by members of Robert’s family, serving and retired officers, and the Railway Mission.
On Monday 29th April 2024, thanks to funding from LNER, a memorial and dedication service took place at York Cemetery where wreaths were laid at the site of a new headstone, which will act as a lasting reminder of the life of PC Robert Smith.
Now, in 2025, a new documentary film is being made about Robert Smith by Forge Films of York.
A crowdfunding campaign has now been started to raise funds to complete and launch the film. As with most crowdfunding schemes, a variety of perks are availble to donors.
As I’ve said before on this blog, history doesn’t have to be old. We’re creating new history every day. Of historical significance is the first use of remotely controlled drones to assist with trespassing and other lineside incidents.
From the BTP website:
BTP has launched its ground-breaking new remote ‘drone in a box’ capability, becoming the first police force to operationalise this advanced drone technology to better keep the public safe and reduce disruption.
The new capability will enhance our ability to respond swiftly and effectively to incidents on the railway network, helping to improve safety, reduce disruption, and support frontline operations as they happen.
The drones will be based at key locations across the network where we know there are spikes in trespass and other disruption incidents, and flown remotely from our control room in London – allowing us to respond to incidents quicker, make more informed decisions, and also free up BTP officers to respond to other offences.
The majority of typical drone operations are conducted within the Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) of the pilot, which is around 500 meters for a small drone. However, the police are able to operate beyond this distance (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) using State Aircraft legislation.
BTP are the first force to obtain legal advice and use Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) routinely and regularly in support of policing, rather than just for emergencies.
As well as the relevant legal advice, our dedicated team have carried out significant work behind the scenes to ensure they are operating under a robust framework in which to fly safely.
Last week (24 April) we hosted a launch event at one of the pilot sites in Leeds which involved a live demonstration of the drone capability for our industry partners including Network Rail, Department for Transport, NPCC Drones, West Yorkshire Police, Northern Rail, and the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA).
Chief Constable Lucy D’Orsi said: “Our new ‘drone in a box’ capability is going to be transformational to our ability to reduce disruption across the rail network.
“This is ground-breaking technology which will allow us to respond to trespass incidents quickly, saving the industry money, improving safety, and keeping the railway moving for passengers.
“It is a fantastic example of the advances we are making at BTP to shape the future of policing, and I’m excited to work with rail industry partners to expand this across the railway as we work together to keep the public safe and reduce disruption.”
BTPHG member and retired BTP Officer Gary Powell has added a second BTP related tale for his fictional detective DI Ryan McNally.
DI McNally and DS Marcia Frost first appeared in Mind the Killer.
🚓 🚓 🚓
DI Ryan McNally stands in the dock at Southwark Crown Court accused of a vicious assault; he awaits the jury’s verdict. A guilty decision would be career-ending and might send him to prison.
The British Transport Police’s Major Investigations Team are called in to investigate the discovery of human remains deposited in a left luggage facility at Liverpool Street Station and on the backseat of a London black cab at Victoria’s busy bus terminal.
The team’s priority is the identification of the victim. Their only clues are a wedding band and a tattoo. McNally’s detectives have proven they can work under the most stressful of circumstances in Britain’s most unique policing environment; but with ever-growing tensions between some of its members reaching boiling point they need to come together quickly to meet their toughest challenge yet.
The Cutting Room offers a fast-paced relentless narrative taking the reader on a very dark journey of shocking twists and turns with very little light at the end of the tunnel.
UPDATE: January 20026
Gary was a recent guest on the ‘America Tonight with Kate Delaney’ syndicated radio show in the Author’s Corner segment, when he promoted the book and spoke about the BTP.
The interview is available here: America Tonight with Kate Delaney featuring Gary Powell
Gary is a member of the Crime Writers Association.
The book is published on 28th April 2025 and will be widely available through all the usual channels – Amazon, WH Smith, Waterstones etc., or direct from the publisher.
An eBook version is available through Amazon.
Gary has previously written four true crime non-fiction books.
In another of his well researched articles, BTPHG member and historian Kevin Gordon looks at an investigation from the 1950s, when the railway police unearthed a case of corruption.
Congratulations to PC Benjamin Hawkins on the award of the British Empire Medal (B.E.M.).
Ben has been recognised for his outstanding service to Emergency Care, Staff Wellbeing, and Mental Health. He currently volunteers as a Community First Responder with East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust.
His volunteering work inspired him to campaign for improved mental health support within the emergency services.
Prior to joining BTP in 2024, Ben worked as a Call Handler and Dispatch Team Leader with the Ambulance Service.
2025 sees the 200th anniversary of train travel since 1825. On the 27, September 1825 the Stockton and Darlington railway ran a steam train carrying members of the public for the first time. A few months later on the 30, June 1826 came the first recorded mention of a police establishment of one Superintendent, four officers and a number of Constable or ‘Gatekeepers’. One of the Constables was PC Metcalfe and a crude oil painting of him in his red tunic and been seen at the National Railway Museum in York. Joseph Sedgwick was the earliest known name of a railway policeman who served at Stockton in 1825, 200 years ago next year.
On 19 September 2024 Railway 200 festival was launched in Darlington. This is a national event throughout the United Kingdom. It will officially. commence on 1 January 2025. One of the highlights will include an exhibition train which will tour Britain calling at various stations and depots.
Further details can be found on the website: Railway 200
and within the various railway magazines on sale.
