British Transport Police Learn from Local Transit Police for 2012 Olympics

The man in charge of security plans for all forms of transport for the next Olympic Games—London’s 2012 Summer Olympic Games—is visiting Metro Vancouver to observe the work of local Transit Police.

British Transport Police Assistant Chief Constable Steve Thomas is in Vancouver meeting with officials at Metro Vancouver’s Transit Police, reviewing their Olympic policing plans and operations and touring the regional transit system.

“I know I will learn from all of the many months of planning by Metro Vancouver’s Transit Police and from seeing first-hand their deployment during this extraordinary period,” Thomas said.

Thomas is heading the security planning for all forms of transport during the London 2012 Olympics including railway, roads, aviation and maritime transport.

British Transport Police (BTP) is the specialist national police service for Britain's railways and urban transit systems. BTP deals with major and minor crime, disorder and incidents, and covers the rail system in England, Wales and Scotland, including the London Underground, Docklands Light Railway, the Glasgow Subway and the Midland Metro and Croydon Tramlink systems.

Its 2,835 police officers, 259 Police Community Support Officers, 249 Special Constables and 1,455 support staff are recruited and trained like those of local police forces and have the same powers.

For interviews with Assistant Chief Constable Thomas call: 604 346 8902

Sgt. Tom Seaman

Transit Police Media Relations 

604 512 4734