The Policing of Scotland’s Railways will by 2019 no longer be part of the Transport Police but in future be under the supervision of Police Scotland. The legislation pertaining to this was passed in the Scottish Parliament today 27/06/2017.

Local MSP John Finnie, Scottish Greens has welcomed the news.

John Finnie MSP, Scottish Green Party

John  Finnie said:

“I very much welcome the passage of the bill which will ensure a more integrated approach to policing in Scotland. The passage of this bill will also ensure greater scrutiny of all policing in Scotland.”

 “My amendment, passed during the Justice Committee’s scrutiny of the bill, ensured that no current British Transport Police officers would be removed from railway policing duties for the duration of their service, unless they so wish.”

“My Green MSP colleagues and I also supported amendments today which ensured Trade Unions will play a positive role in the future of railway policing.”

There are 224 Police officers and staff affected by the decision.

Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said:

“We remain absolutely committed to the triple-lock guarantee that will secure the jobs, pay and pensions of railway policing officers and staff in Scotland, who will transfer over without any detriment to their terms and conditions.”

And Justice Secretary Michael Matheson added:

“With this move we are ensuring that policing on Scotland’s 93 million annual rail journeys is fully accountable to the people of Scotland and our Parliament.

“We know that preserving railway expertise is vital and Police Scotland have already confirmed their plans to maintain a specialist railway policing function within the wider service.”

Reporter: Fiona Grahame