CASE STUDY: BRITISH TRANSPORT POLICE

In 2011 Nil by Mouth agreed to a programme of work with the British Transport Police which has resulted in several years of positive engagement with both NBM and the anti-sectarian agenda.

The aim has always been to firmly embed anti-sectarian practices and procedures into the force.

Roseanna Cunningham MSP and Nil by Mouth Campaign Director Dave Scott present BTP Area Commander Ellie Bird with the award.

Measures include:

Providing over 500 hours of dedicated staff training on the issue through the Beyond Religion and Belief project;

Providing training to both serving officers and support staff. All senior officers in Scotland also took part, including the Area Commander.

Adoption of an anti-sectarian policy covering all BTP staff.

Inclusion of anti-sectarianism elements and inputs into a range of events including health and wellbeing at work days, the ‘Safer Railways’ conference and Hate Crime seminars with external organisations.

Addressing sectarian behaviour on the rail network listed as number one policing target in corporate policing plan

Displaying anti-sectarian posters at BTP HQ and Depot Offices.

Releasing high-profile appeals regarding sectarian incidents on trains.

In September 2013 BTP supported a NBM nationwide sectarianism awareness programme across the Scottish rail network. This partnership, also involving Scotrail, saw posters warning of the dangers of sectarian behaviour placed on trains operating across Scotland for a ten month period.

BTP also accepted a place on our tackling sectarianism in the workplace steering group.

The forces’ commitment to tackling sectarianism was recognised in October 2012 when Minister for Community Safety Roseanna Cunningham MSP handed over a special ‘Champions for Change' award to Scottish Area Commander Ellie Bird at Perth Train Station.