Highland railway police numbers to increase after British Transport Police launches Inverness special constables recruitment
Policing numbers on local railways look set to increase after a recruitment drive was launched for new special constables.
The British Transport Police began advertising the voluntary positions this month, with those recruited being lined up for a number of hub stations on the network - including Inverness.
Although voluntary positions, the new special constables will have the same authority as full-time officers.
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The force, which polices all of the UK’s rail network, has said it intends to recruit two new transferee special constables in Inverness - it currently has none.
And they will operate in addition to the existing full-time officers already in place.
A spokesperson for the British Transport Police said: “This is part of a wider recruitment drive – we are advertising for Special Constabulary positions across the United Kingdom.
“We are currently recruiting two Special Constables for Inverness, where there are presently no Special Constables in post.”
They continued: “We are starting with the offer of ‘transferee officers’ with prior policing experience. Special Constables – volunteer police officers – have the same authority as full time officers, playing a crucial role in upholding the safety and security of the public during their travels.
“Given the essential role of the railway network in facilitating millions of journeys a day, Specials are a vital tool in our efforts to provide a safe and efficient transport network and improve public confidence.”
And they stressed that the new appointments will not replace or cover existing permanent officers.
“The Special Constables will work with their permanent colleagues, providing additional resilience,” they said.
As well as Inverness, the force intends to base new transferee special constables at the likes of Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Kilwinning, Kirkcaldy, Motherwell and Paisley.
The deadline for applicants is November 30.