Ministers’ plan to merge BTP with Police Scotland derided by officers

British Transport Police officers have criticised Scottish Government plans to merge the force with Police Scotland warning that tackling cross border crime will become unmanageable.

At First Minister’s Questions, Conservative leader Ruth Davidson read emails from officers in which it was claimed the move was “ludicrous” and would have a “horrific” effect on police railway services.

One officer with nine years’ experience was quoted by the Tory leader as saying: “If this goes ahead the effect on policing services will be horrific. 0 Nicola Sturgeon spoke of ‘access to national resorce’ We are a specialist force for a reason – cross-border crimes would potentially become unmanageable.”

The devolution of British Transport Police function was a recommendation of the Smith Commission.

However, the Scottish Government’s plans to integrate the service with Police Scotland has proved controversial with critics claiming it is an example of imposing centralised control over policing.

The merger plans were included in this week’s Programme for Government. Ms Davidson said the British Transport Federation had said the change could leave the rail network unguarded.

Ms Sturgeon replied that the move would give British Transport Police “access to that specialist and national resource that Police Scotland has access to”.