British Transport Police

Police officers investigating the theft of a suitcase on a train in Exeter have charged a man with handling stolen goods.

Bryan Bell from Torquay was arrested yesterday (15 October) following a CCTV appeal to trace a man suspected of using a bank card inside the bag at a cash point on the day of the theft (19 July).

The suitcase belonged to a woman from the Penzance area who was on a Liskeard-bound train at the time.

Bell – aged 38 and of Pembroke Road – was arrested at his home address and subsequently charged with one count of handling stolen goods in relation to...

British Transport Police (BTP) officers in the South West are urging the public to do their level best to stay safe when using crossings.

The call comes as they take part in the latest phase of Operation Look, a week of action (5–10 October), which will see extra patrols at a number of crossings.

BTP recorded more than 100 offences at crossings in the region during 2014/15, with 116 offenders identified and dealt with.

While the majority of those offences are committed by motorists, BTP officers also want to make sure pedestrians are aware of the dangers too....

The specialist police force for the rail network released crime figures for its Western sub-division* today (Wednesday, 19 August) alongside its national annual report, which showed crime had fallen across Britain’s railways for the eleventh consecutive year.

Superintendent Matt Allingham, Western sub-divisional commander, said: “Our job is to make sure all rail passengers can get to their destination safely, securely and on time. These figures show that the railways in the South West remain a low crime environment, despite increasing passenger numbers and major infrastructure...

Officers from British Transport Police are appealing for information and witnesses after a number of cars were ‘keyed’ at Tiverton Parkway rail station.

Between Thursday, 12 March, and Monday, 6 July, there have been six incidents of criminal damage to motor vehicles.

They all involved cars being deliberately scratched along the sides, and in one case also on the bonnet.

PC Gary Archer, investigating, said: “I am keen to speak to anyone who has any information about these incidents. Do you travel through the station? Did you see anything suspicious? I urge anyone to...

Do you recognise either of these men? British Transport Police (BTP) officers want to speak to them after the ticket office window at Honiton was smashed. The incident happened at around 9.35pm on Saturday, 6 June. PC Gary Archer said: “Two men left the platform and started messing about on the tracks. “They crossed several times before picking up ballast and making their way to the front of the station where they smashed the ticket office window.” Officers have analysed CCTV from the station and are today issuing images of two men who they think can help with enquiries into the incident....

British Transport Police (BTP) is appealing for information after a vandal painted parts of the railway infrastructure in Exeter, causing £500 worth of damage.

A railway signal, ladder, junction box and 20 sleepers were all painted bright pink close to Polsloe Bridge station on Sunday, 14 June. Officers have now released a photograph of the scene and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward information.

Sergeant Mark Harris said: “Rail staff at Exeter station first spotted the bright pink paintwork down the line early on Sunday, 14 June. We therefore...

Officers from British Transport Police (BTP) are encouraging passengers to report any unwanted sexual behaviour on the transport network.

A short film called Report it to stop it, promoted through Video on Demand channels such as All4 (formerly 4OD), Now TV and YouTube, follows a woman’s journey in which she experiences escalating incidents of unwanted sexual behaviour on board a train.

Viewers are encouraged to interact with the film by deciding at which point they would report the incident by texting 61016.

The purpose of the video, which is aimed at women aged...

A photo which allegedly shows a family cycling on the rail line between Exeter and Dawlish has led to warnings against using the line from British Transport Police and Network Rail. The photograph appeared on social media apparently showing a family of cyclists using the tracks in the Powderham area while work continues by Network Rail to repair damage caused by severe weather earlier this month. The photo is alleged to have been taken in mid-February when the nearby Dawlish Warren road was flooded but there remains some uncertainty around the photos authenticity. Despite the uncertainty,...

You can now text the British Transport Police (BTP) on 61016 to tell them about non-emergency incidents, similar to the ones you would report to the 101 phone number provided by your local police force. In an emergency always dial 999.

The text number will be monitored 24/7 and, while it is not for reporting emergencies, the BTP says it will be able to send officers if required.

When to use the text service: Text 61016 (or call 0800 40 50 40) when you want to contact the BTP about an issue that doesn't require an emergency response. For example, you can text when:...