British Transport Police Federation

09/09/2026

Poignant tributes have been paid to PC Matthew Blades today.

A difficult day for his family, friends and colleagues. Our thoughts are with them all.

09/09/2026

Meet the organisations helping to make our conference and Awards of Excellence happen.

We’re just two weeks away from our annual event, which is made possible by the support of our sponsors.

We are extremely grateful to our headline sponsor, Everywhen, part of the Ardonagh Group. As providers of our Officer Insurance Cover, they understand the challenges our members face.

Everywhen offers a range of insurance benefits and cover options for serving officers, their partners and retired officers.

Find out more about our Officer Insurance Cover here: https://btpolfed.org.uk/group-insurance

08/09/2026

In his latest blog, Stuart Cowan shares that he has contacted Sarah Jones MP, Minister of State for Policing, about welfare protections and investigation timescales for officers under investigation.

He argues that despite the presumption of innocence, officers under investigation can face serious career, financial, and psychological consequences, and that current welfare guidance isn't legally enforceable.

For more on what BTP Federation is calling for, read our Chair's latest blog

Stuart Cowan, Chair of the BTP Federation, offers his thoughts on current policing issues in his blog for August 2026.

30/08/2026

A victory for common sense. Thank you to every one who took the time to sign the petition.

Prime Minister Announces PC Andrew Harper's Killers To Stay In Jail - following relentless Thames Valley Police Federation Campaign.

Chair Aileen O'Connor reacts after Andy Burnham announced this morning the killers of PC Andrew Harper would now NOT be eligible for early release.

Aileen said: “PC Andrew Harper made the ultimate sacrifice for the job that he loved, serving communities, serving society.

“His killers should never have been considered for early release. It remains shocking that they were.

“We are pleased that the Government - despite what was frankly initial reluctance – has eventually listened, seen sense and made the right decision to keep these lowlifes behind bars.

“They had no option.

“The weight of public and policing opinion against such plans was overwhelming.

“The fact that more than 1 million people signed our petition over this was a historic public backing for police officers.

“The fact 50 Chief Constables across the UK wrote an open letter calling for the Government to reconsider was unprecedented.

“The right and proper decision has been made.”

Aileen added: “There is wider good news here that – as a result of our campaigning work – a wider collection of criminals will not be eligible for early release so there is better news today for many more families.”

Aileen concluded: “We would like to offer huge thanks to everyone who backed our campaign.

“The one million people who signed our petition and all those who offered messages of support. You have made a difference.

“Police officers put themselves in harm's way every day.

“They head towards danger when everyone else is running away.

“They do so knowing that they may never come home to their families. We have only seen in recent days in Cleveland, the danger colleagues face.

“Our thoughts remain with the families of PC Tom Clough and PC Matthew Blades.

“And – as always – our thoughts remain with Andrew’s wife Lissie, his family, friends and close colleagues in Thames Valley Police.”

28/08/2026

Thames Valley Police Federation is still working hard to try to stop the early release from jail of PC Andrew Harper's killers.

The public petition now has well over 1 million signatures, which is a phenomenal achievement.

The incredible public support has led to the Government considering a law change to keep PC Harper's killers in prison, but nothing is guaranteed yet.

Thames Valley Police Federation is asking as many people as possible to write to their local MP so we can collectively pressure the Government to change the law and stop these individuals from leaving prison early. It will only take a couple of minutes, but it can have a real impact.

You can find your MP here by inputting your postcode: members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP. You will then see a clickable link to email your MP directly. Below is a template letter you can copy and paste.

On behalf of Thames Valley Police Federation and Andrew’s friends and colleagues, thank you for your continued support.

Dear [MP NAME],

I am writing as your constituent to ask you to support the campaign to prevent the early release of PC Andrew Harper’s killers.

I am deeply concerned that changes to early release under the Government’s new Sentencing Act could mean that two of the men responsible for PC Harper’s death are released from prison before they have served their full sentence.

Police officers put themselves in harm’s way every single day to keep the rest of us safe.

They run towards danger when others run away, knowing that there is always a possibility they may not make it home to their families.
Allowing those responsible for killing an officer in the line of duty to benefit from early release would send a terrible message to police officers across the country about how we value their service and sacrifice.

I believe that PC Harper’s family and colleagues deserve better. I am therefore asking you, as my MP, to urge the Prime Minister and the Justice Secretary to make urgent changes to the Early Release Scheme, so that PC Andrew Harper’s killers remain behind bars for the duration of their original sentence.

I look forward to hearing from you.
[NAME]
[POSTCODE]

26/08/2026

The British Transport Police Federation Welfare Fund was established to help officers facing adversity or financial difficulties.

Officers can apply for a grant (which does not have to be paid back) or an interest-free loan.

For information on eligibility and how to apply to the Welfare Fund, visit

If you are an officer who is finding it hard to manage your money, the BTP Federation Welfare Fund could help. We offer low-cost loans and grants (that don't have to be repaid) to members who are facing financial hardship.

25/08/2026

🗓️ Upcoming webinars from Serve and Protect to help you look after your money:

✍️ Budgeting 101: Take Control of Your Money
Date: Thursday 10th September
Time: 12:00-12:45
What to Expect: Create a budget that meets your short- and long-term financial goals, plus tips to cut your spending.

🚀 Credit Score 101: Tips to Boost Your Score
Date: Thursday 17th September
Time: 12:00-12:45
What to Expect: Understand the importance of looking after your credit score, plus actionable tips to improve yours.

🎲 Harmful Effects of Gambling w/ GamCare
Date: Tuesday 22nd September
Time: 12:00-13:00
What to Expect: Discover the financial impacts of harmful gambling with representatives from GamCare.

🐖 Saving Made Simple: Practical Tips to Boost Your Savings
Date: Wednesday 23rd, Friday 25th September
Time: 12:00-12:45
What to Expect: Explore 10 practical savings methods that anyone can apply to build a healthy savings cushion.

💸 Borrow Smarter: Tips to Strengthen Your Loan Application
Date: Tuesday 29th September
Time: 12:00-12:45
What to Expect: Understand what happens throughout the journey of a loan application, some of the key factors lenders evaluate, and what to do before you apply.

🔗 Register for free here:

Join Serve and Protect's webinars for simplified financial guidance and actionable tips to help you on your financial journey.

24/08/2026

BTP Federation has paid tribute to former BTP officer, PC Tom Clough, who died this weekend

Now serving with Cleveland Police, PC Clough and his colleague PC Matthew Blades were killed after a car travelling the wrong way down a dual carriageway crashed into their vehicle in the early hours of Saturday 22 August.

Ryan Griffiths, General Secretary of BTP Federation, said: "Tom served with BTP for 4 years. He was based in Euston, Darlington and Middlesbrough and was well-known, liked and respected by his colleagues.

"His family has described him as a hero who would help anybody, and those of us who knew him would echo that. I know of several instances where Tom went well above and beyond to serve the public; it was simply in his nature."

"We’re devastated by Tom’s loss, and the loss of PC Matthew Blades. Police officers are ordinary men and women who go to work never truly knowing what they might face. These brave colleagues booked on for duty but didn’t make it home to their loved ones. That is a tragedy and their families, friends and colleagues are very much in our thoughts.”

A fundraising page set up to support the officers’ families has received a staggering response - over £400,000 has been donated so far. The page can be found here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/pc-matthew-blades-and-pc-thomas-clough

22/08/2026

Awful news all round. Our thoughts are with our police colleagues who have lost their lives.

Several people have died at the scene of the "serious" collision, but authorities are yet to confirm the exact number of fatalities.

21/08/2026

The latest offers from Motorfinity are on our website now.

The August offer sheets include some of Motorfinity's latest models, top discounts, and cars ready for the new reg delivery.

See what's on offer: https://btpolfed.org.uk/motorfinity