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On 7 July 2015 four suicide bombers struck London's transport network, killing 52 people and injuring over 770 others.
Three of the blasts happened on London Underground, on or around 8.50am, in the vicinity of Aldgate, Edgware Road and Russell Square stations. The fourth device exploded at 9.47am on a bus that had been diverted via Tavistock Square, close to where BTP’s HQ was at the time. The building became a base for the walking wounded to assemble in.
BTP officers and staff from across the organisation worked tirelessly on the day of the bombings and in the days, weeks and months that followed to deal with the tragic consequences of these acts and to help ensure safety on the rail way.
Many colleagues were honoured for their extraordinary efforts during what was described as one of the biggest challenges faced by the police service in post-war Britain. The circumstances were complex, difficult and dangerous, however BTP officers carried out their vital and specialist roles - including initial rescue, body recovery, search and mortuary duties, as well as supporting the extensive coroner’s inquiry which followed. They showed exceptional courage and professionalism during this critical time.
They were supported by non-operational colleagues who also went above and beyond to support the frontline professionally and sensitively, whilst helping to get the transport network in London restored quickly, efficiently and safely following the attacks.
Chief Constable Paul Crowther said: “The heroic efforts of BTP personnel and all agencies who responded to the events of 7 July 2005 will never be forgotten and the memories of what happened on that day remain firmly in our minds.
“During the most difficult circumstances, BTP provided an absolutely outstanding level of service.
“A lot of things have changed since 7/7, both in how we monitor threats and how we respond when they are apparent.
“We now have comprehensive communications system which allows us to link in with Transport for London and other agencies much more efficiently.
“We have far greater access to CCTV, with more widespread coverage than ten years ago, and we use regular training exercises to test our response to threats.
“All of these changes are designed to help us ensure this terrible tragedy never happens again.”
To honour the officers, support staff, members of the public and train operating company staff who went the extra mile following the attacks, BTP held two special commendation ceremonies in December 2005 and April 2006.
Among the 173 people who were honoured at the ceremonies were officers involved in the initial rescue, body recovery, search and mortuary duties.
Speaking at the first ceremony, Secretary of State for Transport Alistair Darling told officers: "I hope you realise that right around the world, there was tremendous admiration. All of you can take pride in what you have done. Getting London back to work the next day was a tribute to your efforts."
Ian Johnston, BTP's Chief Constable at the time of the bombings, said: "(The bombings) called for an unprecedented response from all the emergency services. Without exception, that response was truly magnificent and BTP played a key part in it.
"This was a complex, difficult and dangerous major incident across a number of sites, requiring the highest levels of courage, professionalism and expertise. It was probably the biggest challenge faced by the police service in post-war Britain.
"For those of us who were not on the front line, we can only imagine the horrors that you faced, and the surroundings in which you worked so professionally."
The following BTP officers, members of staff, train operating company staff and members of the public were honoured for their efforts following the London bombings of 7 July 2005.
Superintendent Andy Ball was commended for his outstanding performance in his role as Silver Support and Chief Superintendent Paul Crowther in his role as Silver Command.
Superintendent John Hennigan and Chief Superintendent Peter Hilton were commended for their tireless work helping to lead the Force’s operations.
For their actions at Edgware Road station, Commendations were awarded to:
PC Andrew Graham | PC Antony Samiotis |
PC Geoffrey Potter | PC Peter Cartwright |
PC Trevor Albert | PC Noel Lilly |
Sergeant Martin Rolfe | PC Kevin Munks |
PC Luke Simpson | PC Lee Garrett |
PC Daniel Steggles | PC Kim Anderson |
For their actions at King’s Cross and Russell Square stations, Commendations were awarded to:
Inspector Ray Shields | PC Carolyne Buttery |
T/Inspector Stephen Mingay | PC Enzo Silvestro |
Sergeant Steve Betts | Inspector James Nattrass |
PC Matthew Arnold | Inspector Glen McMunn |
PC Gerard Collins | Detective Sergeant Alex Bell |
PC Kevin Johnson | PC Raymond Beresford-Cole |
PC Charles McGrotty | PC Steven Bryan |
PC Stephen Noon | Detective Sergeant Michael Carney |
PC Andrew Spiby | PC Aaron Debnam |
PC Adam Mason | A/Chief Inspector Paul Garrett |
PC Gareth Hill | PC Christopher Major |
PC Christopher Nixon | PC Gary Whelan |
Sergeant John Barry | PC Roy Brewer |
Sergeant Peter Burton | PC Ricky Devadasan |
PC Steve Hedger | PC John Malone |
Inspector Rae Jiggins | Inspector Sean McGachie |
PC Andrew Lyons | PC Elaine Meaden |
Police Sergeant Mark Salway | Police Dog Vinnie |
Detective Sergeant Jeffrey Hull | PC Alan Muggleton |
PC David Coleman | Police Dog Joe |
PC Gregory Bond | PC Simon Swan |
PC Terrence Hall | PC Russell Theobald |
PC Simon Walker | A/Sergeant David Webb |
For their actions at Tavistock Square, Commendations were awarded to:
Inspector Ciaran Dermody | PC Gary Sims |
PC Neville Lazenby | PC Andy Jones |
For their actions at Aldgate station, Commendations were awarded to:
Inspector Robert Munn | PC Robert Whyte |
A/Sergeant Ezekiel Awoyomi | Sergeant Keith Barnes |
DC Antonio Silvestro | PC Paul Curran |
PC Alan Cotter | PC Danny Cash |
PC Michael Hatcher | PC Nicholas Dipper |
PC David Read | A/Sergeant Adrian Neylan |
For their work in the mortuary team, Commendations were awarded to:
PC Stephen Cox | PC Carolyn Brinsley |
PC Jeremy Davis | PC Colin Clark |
PC Gareth Norris | PC Phillip Hansford |
Sergeant Barry Harding | PC Angelina Ogden |
A/Sergeant Gary Hayes | PC Andy Vale |
PC Stephen Curry | DC Ann Michelsen |
For their work as part of the Post Mortem team, Commendations were awarded to:
A/Detective Sergeant Ian Avery | DC Paul Green |
DC Gary Beckwith | Detective Sergeant Paul Hargreaves |
DC Andrew Brett | DC Paddy Kerr |
DC Robert Dobbie | DC Mark Povey |
The following were honoured at the second ceremony in April 2006:
Lucy Anderson | DI Ian Baker |
Sergeant Steve Betts | Special Constable Lindsay Boraster |
Special Constable Christopher Chandler | PC Martin Chapman |
PC Peter Clark | PC Daniel Collins |
Police Dog Leo | PC Jonathan Etches |
Sergeant Neil Forsyth | Police Dog Monty |
PC Malcolm Gosling | T/Sergeant Kevin Gordon |
PC Paul Deboick | PC Jane Evans |
PC Angela Charles | Inspector Michael Burnham |
PC Anthony Bell | PC Stephen Gould |
Police Dog Buddy | PC Terrence Hall |
DC Martin Hand | PCSO Kirsty Hillsden |
Chief Inspector Andrew Hunt | Nigel Lucker |
Debbie Hurst | PC Victoria Marks |
Laraine Jackett | PC Saul Marshall |
PC Colin Jepson | Special Constable Matthew Mason |
Chief Inspector Bob Kenwrick | Sergeant Brendan McCambridge |
PC Lindsay McLachlan | PCSO Samantha Miller |
PC Tracy Mulcahy | Stephanie Newbury |
PC Daniel O’Halloran | PC Phil Peal |
DC Crispin Owen | PC Mark Phillips |
PCSO Darshak Patel | Inspector Frank Placzek |
A/DS James Preston | Special Constable Mark Prinn |
PC Natasha Rankin | Graham Richens |
PC Deborah Russell-Fenwick | MBE PC Chris Saunders |
PC Mohammad Shah | DC Antonio Silvestro |
Cynthia Stewart | DC Kevin Thomas |
PC Russ Theobald | Sergeant Barry Vasselin |
PC Elliot Waite | Leslie Warne |
Special Constable Marcus West | PC William Woolford |