Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what representations she has received from the British Transport Police on the potential merits of additional funding to help ensure it has adequate resources to review CCTV footage for all reported incidents of theft on the Govia Thameslink Railway network.

Police access to CCTV is an essential tool for use not only when investigating crime on the rail network, but also to equip Police Officers with effective situational awareness and evidence when making decisions in ongoing incidents.

The Department is in regular contact with the BTP and the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) about making the best use of technology, including discussing funding options for new activities.

The British Transport Police costs for policing the railways, including its resources for reviewing CCTV, are met by funding agreements with train operators rather than from the Department for Transport. The BTPA, which is independent and includes representatives from the rail industry, sets the BTP budget annually.