In an era of terror attacks on mass transit, we must ensure our railway policing is as best as it can be

MSP Gil Paterson has voted in favour of merging railway policing in Scotland with Police Scotland.

On May 10, the general principles of the Railway Policing (Scotland) Bill were voted through by MSPs in the Scottish Parliament.

Ultimately, the plans will see the British Transport Police’s 280 officers and responsibilities integrated with Police Scotland.

The Bill will now be looked at and amended by MSPs before being voted on again.

Gil said: “Merging the British Transport Police in Scotland with Police Scotland will help make our country safer and our security more efficient.

“In an era when mass transit is the target of constant terrorist attacks in the Western world, we have to ensure our police force is run as best as it possibly can be along our railways.

“It is also a historic moment for Scotland, as we take control of more of our own services, services that are almost always run more efficiently than they would have been by the UK Government.

“It is very sad to see the Tories and Labour side against the rest of the parliament in what should be a proud moment for Scotland.”
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Background: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-39848867