INTRODUCTION
CHAIR’S WELCOME
Each year, this celebration reminds me of the incredible dedication, commitment and tenacity that characterise policing. Ours is a profession that is often misunderstood and regularly criticised The people we serve see snapshots of what we do; rarely is the full complexity of policing on show. But tonight, we have the chance to show the heart of what we do
These awards honour those who have gone above and beyond in service of their communities, their colleagues, and the values we stand for. I am proud of every single person who wears a BTP badge, but I want to especially recognise our award winners Your courage, compassion, and unwavering professionalism represent the very best of policing.
You remind us all why this work matters. Whether facing daily challenges on the front line or quietly making a difference behind the scenes, your impact is both powerful and lasting
To every nominee and winner, thank you You do not do this for recognition, but you thoroughly deserve it. I am very proud to host tonight’s event and meet the worthy winners of the Federation’s Awards of Excellence for 2025.
Stuart Cowan, Chair, British Transport Police Federation
Matt Davies, Robert Mercer & Sam Whitfield
The Detective Investigation of the Year is for a complex and wide ranging investigation that not only secured successful prosecutions but will have long lasting benefit to enhance all forces ability to catch those orchestrating County Lines and to prosecute under the Modern Slavery Act (2015)
What started as a simple health check on a 15 year old young person at London Bridge station resulted in the successful prosecution of a man and a woman for modern slavery offences and also received national praise and recognition for successful convictions under the Modern Slavery Act (2015) The Home Office were also impressed and commented on how British Transport Police have set and secured smarter practice which has led to a Modern Slavery Guidance document and further enhanced British Transport Police’s reputation.
In the subsequent months following the original intervention at London Bridge, a complex investigation was conducted with PC Sam Whitfield as OIC with phone downloads, call data, forensic examination of drugs and packaging all being utilised,
producing a comprehensive case detailing chronologies, maps, and attributions. A Drug Expert Witness also provided a statement evidencing the supply and key contacts and messages.
When the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) declined Modern Slavery charges DI Matt Davies wrote the appeal and liaised directly with CPS to have this overturned Due to challenges nationally with Modern Slavery cases Matt wrote a Modern Slavery Guidance document that has now been shared nationally and used on several cases across British Transport Police and other Forces to increase the use of this legislation.
Throughout the investigation the OIC Sam Whitfield and safeguarding officer Clare Bushell within British Transport Police’s County Lines Taskforce remained in regular contact with the family of the 15-year-old This has led the mother to have increased confidence in the Police that she did not have before.
In the UK an estimated 27,000 children are involved in County Lines. Despite this, data held as of March 2024 shows that only 385 suspects have been charged with offences under the Modern Slavery Act since 2017.
The Modern Slavery Act (2015) is the only legislation that truly reflects exploitation in County Lines offending.
‘’Working alongside our colleagues from other forces enhances our capabilities to catch those orchestrating these County Lines. Our County Lines Task Force works hard to tackle drugs on the railway network and to protect children and vulnerable adults who are often exploited by gangs into selling or moving drugs. This case should send a powerful message to those involved in this sort of activity - we will find you; you will be arrested, and we will disrupt the distribution of drugs by County Lines dealers.”
DI Matt Davies
Leanne Nevin, Kevin Rankin, Paul Hevey, Lewis Roberts & Thomas Pearson
The Team of the Year award is for their collective efforts to successfully introduce a pilot mental health triage scheme and to collect evidence to allow for the scheme to be continued and expanded
Police Inspector Paul Hevey a Sergeant at Liverpool Lime St recognised the increasing demand for those in mental health crisis. BTP Liverpool in the year before the introduction of the scheme dealt with sixty-nine incidents of mental health crisis that resulted in an individual being detained by the police equating to over 3,300 hours of frontline police visibility. This also had a financial impact of over £178,000 for those detentions alone and did not include incidents that were dealt with by other means.
Police Inspector Paul Hevey a Sergeant at Liverpool Lime St recognised the increasing demand for those in mental health crisis BTP Liverpool in the year before the introduction of the scheme dealt with sixty-nine incidents of mental health crisis that resulted in an individual being detained by the police equating to over 3,300 hours of frontline police visibility. This also had a financial impact of over £178,000 for those detentions alone and did not include incidents that were dealt with by other means.
The team engaged with stakeholders to discuss and address the challenges throughout the rail network.
An incident that involves a person detained under the mental health act can tie two officers up for up to twenty four hours while they wait with them in a place of safety for assessment. It was also recognised that A&E is not always the best place for a detained person to be while they wait for treatment
A business case was produced that allowed a police officer to work alongside a mental health practitioner This would allow a rapid response to provide an on-scene assessment. The case was successful with Merseyrail and Network Rail signing up to the pilot and an initial £70,000 was agreed for a twelve-month period to pay for the mental health practitioner. BTP contributed by assigning a dedicated police officer and vehicle along with PI Hevey being responsible for the governance involved throughout the trial
The twelve-month trial period concluded and was deemed a tremendous success British Transport Police realised an economical saving benefit of over £200,000. This was calculated in terms of officer hours saved by returning the officer quickly to frontline duties. There was also a reduction of section 136 detentions by over 62% over the Liverpool district compared to the previous year. In 2018/19 there were 69 detentions compared to 26 in the following year This also led to a further saving for the NHS of over £167,000 based on cost savings from ambulance requests, A+E admissions and bed cost within the hospital
As the use of the triage car has developed, they have been able to expand into assisting with suicide hotspot identification and to utilise information sharing to ensure that family members can be located at the earliest opportunity, and work with the coroner ’ s office in an efficient manner
The initiative has been kept in place and has expanded to other areas including the West Coast Mainline with the triage car based at Wigan station and Manchester Birmingham now has a triage car covering the midlands. The Birmingham control room will have a dedicated team to assist and coordinate these teams throughout the country
The triage scheme has ensured that people are receiving the best possible care at the first point of contact and are committed to protecting vulnerable people on the rail network who need safeguarding. Due to this expansion the rail industry has pledged over £500,000 a year to assist in safeguarding the community that it serves
Special Constable
Gary Blackburn went on shift in September 2024 expecting a busy day with the Radio 2 in the Park event taking place nearby but with no major issues expected. The day ended with SPC Blackburn in hospital after nearly losing his life in the line of duty.
Gary Blackburn
In a matter of seconds SPC Blackburn had been attacked by a male holding a large red kitchen knife with an 8” blade He found himself on the ground and was franticly moving backwards to escape. Duty Sergeant PS Stu Maw intervened and shouted ‘’Knife, knife, knife! Get back!’’ to clear the scene. PS Maw then deployed captor incapacitant spray and deployed it towards the male’s face. PS Maw moved forward taking the male to the ground and supported by Amulet Security Safeguarding Officer Karl Cashmore they restrained and handcuffed the suspect. Karl sustained an injury to his wrist during this incident.
Thankfully SPC Blackburn recovered from his injury, returning to his role as a Special Constable which he is clearly passionate about. Despite experiencing a near fatal injury, SPC Blackburn has returned to full duties. SPF Blackburn loves his role and feels he will not let this incident prevent that from continuing
SPC Blackburn’s colleagues have been impressed that, whilst the incident has undoubtedly affected him and his family both physically and mentally, SPC Blackburn has shown true commendable qualities to return to frontline duties to support his colleagues and the public in keeping them safe SPC Blackburn has been an inspiration and positive force for all who come into contact with him.
Adam Bebbington and Andy Noble
This Award is chosen each year by the BTP Federation Chair to highlight an extraordinary incident within the membership
On Monday 3 February 2025 PC Adam Bebbington and PCSO Andy Noble were on duty in the rd
Sheffield area when they received a request to assist colleagues from South Yorkshire Police to attend reports of a person having been stabbed at All Saints Catholic High School Sheffield – a few minutes from Sheffield Railway Station Police were struggling to resource the incident with a Taser trained officer and PC Bebbington and PCSO Noble volunteered without any hesitation.
The officers attended with minimal information and not knowing what would be facing them on their arrival – this did not phase or deter them, and they arrived within minutes.
On arrival, officers were made aware that a student had been stabbed. PC Bebbington immediately assisted an attending paramedic in attempting to provided lifesaving intervention to the victim – a 15-yearold boy
PCSO Noble began liaising with staff and attended the location of the suspect He was presented by school staff with the weapon used in the incident which he secured safely maintaining its integrity as a key part of the investigation.
Despite the efforts of everyone at the scene, tragically, the victim Harvey Willgoose died from his injuries whilst a 15-yearold boy was arrested and has subsequently been charged with his murder.
The actions and efforts of both PC Bebbington and PCSO Noble was exceptional. They ran towards unknown danger and ensured every effort was made to save the life of the young victim They also ensured preservation and collation of evidence which ultimately contributed in securing an arrest and charge to ensure that justice is obtained for this horrendous act.
Their actions did not go unnoticed on the day with the District Commander from South Yorkshire Police taking the time to write to the BTP C-Divisional Commander;
“I wanted to take a moment this morning to extend my thanks to the following officers who attended the tragic incident at All Saints School in Sheffield yesterday.
PCSO 4926 Andrew Noble and PC 5705 Adam Bebbington were the 1 units on scene, and T/PS 0352 Roy Percival and PC8903 Antonio Iorio also attended.
st The compassion and professionalism shown was truly commendable. In the midst of chaos and heartbreak, they demonstrated incredible resilience and teamwork Their efforts made a real difference, not just in managing the scene, but in supporting some of those affected
I would appreciate it if you could pass on my message to the officers: Take care of yourselves and know that your efforts have not gone unnoticed. If you need anything at all, please do not hesitate to reach out”
Jamie Henderson, Chief Superintendent. Sheffield District Commander