BTP ready to police high-speed Euro line

The British Transport Police (BTP) has said it is “ready and eager” to meet the challenge of the UK`s new high-speed rail line.

Eurostar is preparing to move to the line, which will run from St Pancras International from Wednesday.

The BTP will cover international stations at Ebbsfleet and Ashford, in Kent, and St Pancras and Stratford in London. “We want to deliver a world class policing service for this world class railway” said Chief Inspector Jeff Boothe.

The force said that, initially, 75 police officers and police community support officers (PCSOs) will operate 24 hours a day on a five-shift pattern.

This will rise to 100 when Stratford International opens in 2009.

“We will be undertaking high visibility patrols, but we will also be intelligence-led to make the best use of our resources and working with partners locally in a joint problem solving approach,” said Ch Insp Boothe.

Eurostar switches its London terminal from Waterloo station to St Pancras on Wednesday, with trains from Ebbsfleet International running from next Monday.