Transport for London pay millions for more British Transport Police officers (From This Is Local London)

Transport for London pay millions for more British Transport Police officers

2:14pm Tuesday 6th January 2009 in

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The mayor has announced an extra 50 police officers will help patrol trains and stations in outer London.

Speaking at Bromley South train station this morning (January 6), mayor Boris Johnson said the British Transport Police (BTP) officers would help underline his commitment to tackling antisocial behaviour and crime.

The officers will be split into seven teams and help patrol 100 outer London stations including areas such as Croydon, Bromley, Stratford, Acton, Wimbledon and Finsbury Park.

It is also expected that train operating companies will assign 50 of their staff to work with the BTP teams.

Mr Johnson admitted more work needed to be done to reassure commuters using often unmanned suburban stations.

“Whilst the rail network is a low crime environment, we know passengers can still feel unsafe,” he said.

"Dedicated teams will help increase police visibility and in turn help reduce the fear of crime."

Every London borough will soon have its own team of police officers patrolling the railways, the Mayor said.

Transport for London says it will be investing more than £6m over the next two years to fund the extra officers.