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British Transport Police: Finance

Asked by Martin WrigleyLiberal DemocratDepartment for TransportTabled Answered 16 September 2025UIN 75772

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of funding levels for the British Transport Police in Devon.

Answered by Simon Lightwood

The British Transport Police’s (BTP) budget is set by the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) which is the executive non-departmental public body that oversees the Force and is their employer. BTPA sets the BTP’s budget annually following proposals from the Force and views from industry.

Like other police forces the BTP have operational independence, so the BTP Chief Constable and Chief Officers use a variety of data to inform the deployment of officers and other resources, including demand for their presence in Devon. This capacity planning process ensures that BTP has the best information to ensure officers across the network, including in Devon, are in the right place at the right time.

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