Safer School Officer

British Transport Police - Introduction for DSLs in Hillingdon

My name is Mark Smith, I am a PCSO with British Transport Police (BTP) based in Wembley Park. I'm writing to introduce my Team, highlight how British Transport Police might assist you and provide our contact details for your future reference.

As your local BTP Neighbourhood Proactive Team (NPT) we cover a wide geographic area with responsibility for Hi-Vis policing and tackling local issues on the railway and tube network. This includes reaching out to schools and communities with safety campaigns, and finding ways we might serve you and keep staff and students safe. Our patch in Hillingdon encompasses the centre and north of the borough where the Metropolitan Line, Piccadilly Line, Central Line and Chiltern Railways run. My equivalent team for the South of borough around West Drayton, Hayes and Heathrow are based out of Hammersmith BTP Station.

As DSLs if you, or any other teacher or student, identify any issue(s) of concern, linked with the railway, that is affecting your school community, we want to help tackle it. Issues your students may face range from low level ASB and fare evasion, to more significant concerns and fears like Robbery, Sexual Harassment or County Lines. BTP is always willing to visit your education establishment to discuss plans of action, or to simply promote railway safety and crime prevention in whatever format is appropriate. While our resources are limited we will always try to help.

In the first instance should you want to report crime, a serious problem linked to the railway affecting your school, please use British Transport Police's website, or First Contact email (see below). Include your contact details and/or train station and our staff will then ensure it is allocated to the correct team. You should still liaise with your local police school liaison officer to ensure good multi-agency working.

If you are looking to contact this team with a view to discussing how we can tackle local issues, or wish to arrange a visit to your education establishment, please mark your query for the attention of Wembley Park NPT or Hammersmith NPT and we will contact you ASAP.

E-mail: first_contact@btp.police.uk

Online: https://www.btp.police.uk/

Apps: The Railway Guardian App (available in all good phone app stores) - You can report any crimes or concerns via the Railway Guardian app. Under the 'Report' function, you will find methods of reporting to British Transport Police, Train Operators, or anonymously to StreetSafe, as well as Safety Advise and Location Sharing

As ever, if you require emergency assistance, always call 999 or Text 61016