Reponse to Audit Scotland report

Dear Mr Wyllie,

I write in connection with your request for information dated 30 December
2009, asking for the following information:

The Auditor General for Scotland and the Accounts Commission issued in
August 2009 a report entitled "Improving civil contingencies planning". It
said that:

"We found some variation within types of responders. For example, while
most Category 1 responders viewed each other positively, less than half
reported that the Health Protection Agency and British Transport Police
(both of which cover reserved matters) kept them well informed." (para.37)

Please provide me with information about plans the British Transport
Police has formulated since the report's publication to keep Category 1
responders in Scotland informed of the force's work.

This should extend to copies of memoranda, policy documents,
correspondence and electronic communications.

The findings of the Audit Scotland Report reflect the position at the time
of the main audit work during 2008. Since then the Force has employed a
dedicated and experienced Contingency Planning Officer for the Scottish
Area. The Area Contingency Planning Officer took up post on 28th October
2008 and has since worked to ensure that the British Transport Police is
embedded within the work of the eight Strategic Co-ordinating Groups.
Part of that work includes contributing to the Strategic Coordinating
Group self-assessment checklist and subsequent progress reports to
Scottish Government.

The Scottish Area of the Force is currently reviewing representation at
the various Strategic Coordinating Groups meetings with a view to ensuring
that meetings are attended by the most appropriate level of management and
opportunities to be engaged as stakeholders are fully exploited.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in
British Transport Police, and if you have any further queries, please do
not hesitate to contact us.

Yours sincerely,

Elliot Harry

Freedom of Information Officer, Information Standards Unit

British Transport Police, Force Headquarters, 25 Camden Road, London, NW1
9LN

office 020 7830 8893 (int 48893)

fax 020 7023 6953

email [1][email address]

[2]www.btp.police.uk

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