Category: BTP History Group

A new entry for the Policewomen in Pictures gallery today.

A couple of questions arise from this photograph’s description. Firstly, the date is shown as 1942, whereas the article in the LNER magazine (link below) states it was 1941, but as that article was not published until 1943, it could be that either one is correct.

Secondly, she is described as the first railway policewoman in England. This obviously is not true. In the LNER Magazine she describes herself as the first LNER policewoman, which makes more sense. Although there were GER policewomen at Liverpool Street approximately 25 years before that.

H/T to Mike Joyce for finding the photo.

See: My Day’s Work for Miss Piper’s original article,

and Policewomen on the Railways for more detail.

To mark International Women’s Day for 2022, the BTP issued this group of photos of ‘inspiring, hardworking and dedicated women of BTP‘ on their Twitter account.

Just a reminder that we have our own Policewomen in Pictures gallery.

Learn more about the history of policewomen on the railways here.

👮‍♀️👮🏼‍♀️👮🏾‍♀️👮‍♀️👮👮🏿‍♀️👮🏻‍♀️👮‍♀️

And just a reminder that you can keep up to date with new additions to the website on the Website Updates page.

It is with great sadness that we report the death of former Chief Constable, Desmond O’Brien.  Mr O’Brien was Chief Constable of the British Transport Police from 1989-1997 having previously served in Kent County Constabulary as Deputy Chief Constable and in senior ranks in Greater Manchester Police, the Police Staff College and in the RUC.

Mr O’Brien was a successful and highly respected Chief Constable. In many ways a traditionalist, he was also a moderniser at a time when the force needed modernisation. His reforms stood the test of time.  He was a leader with a clear sense of right and wrong. He prepared the force for the coming of rail privatisation. This was a time of great uncertainty and he tirelessly stood up for BTP in discussions with government and other forces. Most of all we remember him as the Chief who led the force through a prolonged and intense terrorist campaign against the railway network.  Many of the innovations in counter terrorism for the railway that were introduced at his direction remain in place and are of continuing relevance. His contribution is an important part of our history.

We extend our condolences to Mr O’Brien’s family.

We hope to publish a full obituary in due course.

Philip Trendall

Chair

Update:
An Obituary by Paul Robb is now available in HistoryBank.

Our Chair, Phil Trendall, has started a new blog: Policing Public Transport: A Neglected History.

Not officially from the BTPHG, the blog enables Phil to give “my own views on related subjects. The study of police history is not without controversy and it may be that I will sometimes touch on areas where there is not a general consensus. So be it, but I will always seek to avoid offence and  I will be interested in hearing alternative views.”

It’s already off to a very promising start and I, for one, have already opted to press the ‘follow’ button.

Phil has already given us permission to use any articles we wish for this website, and I have already started off by ‘lifting’ our first item. The Oldest Railway Policeman? is now housed within our Research section, where it joins over fifty other articles.

And just a reminder that the Research section is just one section of the HistoryBank, where you can find many items of interest.

Detective Sergeant Andrew James Winters has been awarded the Queen’s Police Medal (QPM) in Her Majesty The Queen’s 2022 New Year Honours for his unwavering commitment to keeping the public safe and considerable contribution to UK policing.

Having joined BTP in 1983 and selected into a detective role in 1987, Andy has played a crucial part in investigating the most serious crimes. Early on in his career he quickly showed his aptitude to robustly and effectively investigate murders, rapes and organised crime, bringing the most dangerous offenders to justice. Andy, who has incredibly not taken a day off due to sickness in 38 years, is a renowned team player whose tenacity and drive as an officer is infectious amongst his colleagues.

He was promoted to the rank of Detective Sergeant in 1990 before being selected to manage a surveillance team, a pickpocket team and thereafter the Organised Crime Team.

As part of the Organised Crime Team, he worked in close partnership with key stakeholders as he led an international operation which resulted in the arrest of 17 individuals and the recovery of £500,000 worth of criminal assets. He was also instrumental in investigating the murders of Lee Pomeroy and Tashan Daniel, who tragically lost their lives in 2019. In both cases, his contribution resulted in two violent thugs removed from society and subsequently being sentenced to substantial jail terms.

To this day he serves with BTP and continues to show the same enthusiasm and determination to ensure the railway is a safe environment for passengers as he enters his thirty-ninth year with the force.

Detective Sergeant Andy Winters said: “I am humbled and extremely grateful to be recognised by Her Majesty in her New Year Honours awards, especially given the great people that have been recognised in previous years. My dad also worked for BTP – his passion was unrivalled, and he thoroughly enjoyed his time with the force. If he was alive today, I know how immensely proud of me he would be. I would like to sincerely thank my current colleagues and those I’ve worked with in the past, as without them I would not be receiving this prestigious accolade. My appreciation extends to BTP for providing me with opportunities that have led me to this honour. I have enjoyed every minute of my 38-year career with this fantastic force.”

Detective Superintendent Gary Richardson said: “Andy is a very deserving recipient of this policing award, he reflects the definition of a proactive officer. He has a long history of successful policing operations and is highly respected by his colleagues who always look to seek his guidance and support. Over the years he’s worked with numerous other forces and agencies, both nationally and internationally, and always represents BTP to the highest standard and professionalism.”

In September 2021, Andy also received the British Transport Police Federation Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his dedication, motivation and commitment throughout his long and distinguished career with BTP.

Sources include: BTP

See: Honours, Medals and Decorations table

Also see: Retired Officer celebrates 100 years; Andy features in an article concerning his late father.

Retired BTP officer and BTPHG member Steve Barnbrook has a new crime fiction novel out.

From the information supplied:

Something strange is happening at the dilapidated run down Children’s Home Alldahope. The local Police do not seem to be interested in the sinister goings on despite some worrying events and suspicious homicides. Can dedicated officer Shirley Wallows and her oddball group of colleagues get to the find out the chilling truth or will the collection of waifs and strays be abandoned and left to their fate. Not everything and everyone are what they seem to be.

Chair’s YEAR END Message 2021

Our Chair, Phil Trendall, has written an end of the year summary which has been emailed to members.

It can also be found here: That Was The Year That Was

I thought I’d make a change from my usual roaring log fire picture this year.

🎄Last year I hoped for a better new year than the last, it didn’t work out that way for many of us, but nevertheless a seasonal greeting from all of us at the BTPHG 🎄.
And let’s look forward to a much happier New Year (again)!

Embed from Getty Images

Whilst looking for some images of NER Policeman (for a different project) I came across these two images featuring the LNER.

It’s always interesting what you can randomly come across.

The description reads: Two Police officer dog handlers, one a sergeant and one a constable working with the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) slip a leash on a police dog at a LNER goods depot in England during World War II on 10th September 1942.

(Photo by Calcraft/Popperfoto via Getty Images)