TRANSPORT SECURITY
FIVE YEARS OF PROJECT SERVATOR ACROSS ENGLAND, SCOTLAND AND WALES I
nternational transport hubs, such as airports and major train stations, unfortunately have been, and continue to be, a key target for acts of vehicle-related terrorism. British Transport Police (BTP) polices Britain’s railways, working with rail operators to ensure the safety of the 8.6 million passengers who use the network every day. The force also polices networks such as the London Underground, Midland Metro tram system and Glasgow subway. Much in the news again lately because of the ongoing inquiry into the attack, BTP officers were the first emergency responders to arrive following the Manchester Arena attacks in May 2017, providing life-saving care to the injured and making the area safe for other emergency services. It is also worth noting that a BTP officer, PC Wayne Marques, was seriously injured as he attempted to protect members of the public during the London Bridge attack, while the force’s armed officers formed part of the specialist response to that incident, working alongside members of the Metropolitan Police and City of London Police. BTP’s counter terrorism activities also include providing awareness training for staff
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COUNTER TERROR BUSINESS MAGAZINE | ISSUE 45
members from the rail industry and associated businesses. Under the ACT-Action Counters Terrorism banner, the programme is delivered at locations across the country, and aims to equip individuals to detect, deter and report terrorist activity. The sessions cover topics such as possible methods of attack and how to recognise terrorist reconnaissance, while also aiming to build effective working relationships between rail staff and BTP officers, empowering people to report suspicious activity. In particular, rail staff members are told to be aware of people who may be showing interest in restricted areas or appear to be checking security arrangements, for example filming CCTV cameras at a station, or avoiding rail staff and police officers. PROJECT SERVATOR BTP officers continue to play an important role in Project Servator, an initiative that was initially set up by the City of London Police (in February 2014) and introduced by BTP in November 2015. Project Servator deployments are unpredictable and designed to be highly visible. Their aim is to make the rail network an uncomfortable place for criminals to operate, while simultaneously reassuring
