Part 3British Transport Police

Information, &c.

I156Reports by Chief Constable

1

As soon as is reasonably practicable after the end of each financial year the Chief Constable shall submit to the Authority a report about the policing of the railways in that year.

2

The Chief Constable shall publish a report submitted by him under subsection (1).

3

The Authority may require the Chief Constable to submit a report on specified matters connected with the performance of his functions.

4

The Authority may publish, or require the Chief Constable to publish, a report submitted under subsection (3).

5

But if the Chief Constable thinks that publication of all or part of a report under subsection (3) would be unnecessary, or undesirable for reasons of public interest—

a

he may require the Authority to refer to the Secretary of State the question whether that report or part should be published, and

b

the report or part shall be published only if the Secretary of State directs that it should be published.

I257Annual report by Authority

1

As soon as is reasonably practicable after the end of each financial year the Authority shall issue a report about the policing of the railways in that year.

2

The Authority’s report for a year must include an assessment of the extent to which—

a

the objectives set for the year under section 50 have been achieved,

b

the arrangements set out in the railways policing plan for the year under section 52 have been implemented, and

c

the strategies set out in the relevant three-year strategy plan under section 55 have been implemented.

3

The Authority shall—

a

publish each report under this section, and

b

send a copy of each report under this section to the Secretary of State.

I358Other reports to Secretary of State

1

The Secretary of State may by direction require the Authority to submit a report on specified matters connected with the performance of its functions.

2

The Secretary of State may by direction require the Chief Constable to submit a report on specified matters connected with the performance of his functions.

3

The Authority or Chief Constable shall submit a report required by direction under this section—

a

in such form as may be specified in the direction, and

b

within such period as may be specified in the direction.

4

The Secretary of State may—

a

publish a report received under this section;

b

require the author of the report to arrange for its publication.

I459Statistics

1

The Secretary of State may require the Chief Constable to supply information about matters relating to crime committed on or in connection with the railways.

2

In particular, the Secretary of State may require information about—

a

offences committed;

b

offenders;

c

criminal proceedings.

3

The Chief Constable shall supply information required under this section at such times and in such form as the Secretary of State requires.

4

Where the Secretary of State receives information under this section he shall lay it or a summary of it before Parliament.

I560Inquiry

1

The Secretary of State may appoint a person to inquire into a matter connected with the Police Force.

2

The Secretary of State may require a person appointed under this section to conduct the inquiry in public or in private.

3

A person appointed under this section may summon a person to attend at a specified time and place—

a

to give evidence;

b

to produce a document.

4

Where the Secretary of State receives a report of an inquiry under this section he shall, in so far as he thinks it in the public interest, publish a summary of the report.

5

In the application of this section to an inquiry held in Scotland subsection (3) shall have effect as if for “summon” there were substituted “ cite ”.

I661Inquiry: supplemental

1

A person appointed under section 60 may—

a

require evidence to be given on oath, and

b

for that purpose, administer an oath.

2

A person appointed under section 60 may not require the production of a document relating to the title of land which is not the property of the Authority.

3

A person commits an offence if without reasonable excuse he—

a

fails to comply with a summons under section 60, or

b

obstructs or fails to co-operate with an inquiry under that section.

4

A person has a reasonable excuse for failure to comply with a summons if he is not offered payment of the reasonable costs of compliance.

5

A person who is guilty of an offence under subsection (3) shall be liable on summary conviction to—

a

a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale,

b

imprisonment for a term not exceeding 51 weeks, or

c

both.

6

The Secretary of State may direct the Authority to pay all or part of the costs incurred by a person in connection with an inquiry under section 60.

7

A direction under subsection (6) may include provision for taxation of costs.

8

In the application of this section in relation to an inquiry held in Scotland subsections (3) and (4) shall have effect as if for “summons” there were substituted “ citation ”.

I762Public consultation

1

The Authority shall make, and review from time to time, arrangements to obtain the opinions about the policing of the railways of—

a

passengers on the railways,

b

groups of persons representing passengers on the railways,

c

persons providing railway services,

d

organisations representing persons providing railway services,

e

employees of persons providing railway services,

f

organisations representing employees of persons providing railway services,

g

the Scottish Ministers,

h

the National Assembly for Wales,

i

organisations representing local authorities in England,

F2j

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

k

the F3Office of Rail and Road,

l

the Rail Accident Investigation Branch,

F1m

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F1n

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

o

other persons with an interest in the railways whom the Authority thinks it appropriate to consult.

2

The Authority shall make, and review from time to time, arrangements to invite the co-operation of the persons listed in subsection (1) in preventing crime on the railways.

3

Before making or reviewing arrangements under this section the Authority shall—

a

consult the Chief Constable, and

b

have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.

4

The Secretary of State may—

a

issue guidance about arrangements under this section;

b

require the Authority to report to him on arrangements under this section;

c

require the Authority to review arrangements under this section.