Transport police patrol new line

The BTP will patrol the new rail line in Clackmannanshire

An officer from British Transport Police (BTP) is to be based in Clackmannanshire to help police the new Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine rail line.

The £70m rail line is due to be completed in the summer and will resume passenger services between Stirling and Alloa for the first time since 1968.

A BTP officer will be based at Central Scotland Police's Clackmannanshire headquarters in Alloa.

The force said it wanted to build a strong operational relationship.

The BTP officer will be part of a team who will patrol the Alloa branch line engineering works to ensure a safe railway environment when the rail line opens.

'Cement presence'

Supt Andrew Price, Clackmannanshire Area Commander, said: "Although the responsibility for policing the railways rests with the British Transport Police, they are an important part of our wider community infrastructure.

"It is important that we work in partnership to create safer environments for the public of Clackmannanshire or the wider travelling public.

"In the recent past we have worked very closely with colleagues from the BTP. That close working mirrors a strong operational relationship from day to day and we look forward to building on that in Clackmannanshire with the advent of a new rail link."

They are hoping that increased intelligence and pro-activity will allow the BTP to deal with any potential criminal behaviour in the area effectively.

Supt Ronnie Mellis, Area Commander of the BTP in Scotland, added: "The offer of accommodation at Alloa is an ideal opportunity to cement our presence in Clackmannanshire."