Gavin Williamson, MP for South Staffordshire, addressed the British Transport Police Federation, this week, during the organisation’s annual conference in York.
The conference was attended by the Chief Constable, a series of other senior officers and the Chair of the Police Authority.
The event commenced on Tuesday night with a drink reception and dinner at 7pm. During the dinner, Gavin presented bravery awards to the recipient officers.
The past year has been an important year for the British Transport Police with the Olympics, the Paralympics and Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee presenting a massive challenge for the Force.
On presenting the awards and giving a speech at the conference, Gavin said: "I was extremely excited and honoured to be able to meet in person a few of the brave men and women who risk so much to ensure our transport network is safe for the millions of passengers that travel on it, each day.
"The past year has been an important one for the British Transport Police, with the Olympics, the Paralympics and Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee presenting a massive challenge for the Force. Yet, they, without a doubt, have risen to the challenge."
2011/12 was the eighth consecutive year that crime levels on the rail network fell, with violent crime down 24 percent, robbery down 27 percent and a 10 percent reduction in staff assaults. This is despite the number of passengers using the railway over the last six years increasing by 48 percent.
Gavin added: "I can only applaud the hard work that the British Transport Police do to guarantee public safety in both South Staffordshire and the country as a whole."