BTP Recruitment
Campaigns Open Now
Every British Transport Police advert we found on BTP's vacancies portal, grouped by role with its closing date and status, plus what BTP is not recruiting for, how its location-led campaigns work, a 10-day plan to apply before the deadline and what to do if your area is not open.
Independent information, not advice · Sources checked 23 October 2026 · Great Britain unless stated
Yes, by location. On 23 October 2026 BTP had new-recruit police officer campaigns for Inner London (closing midnight 1 November 2026), Basingstoke, eight C Division towns and Machynlleth (all midnight 2 November) and Stevenage, Colchester, Southend, Brighton and Guildford (midnight 16 November, may close early), plus transferee, PCSO and Specials adverts. BTP only recruits for the locations each advert names and gives no deadline extensions. There is no open campaign for Scotland, the PCDA or the DHEP.
BTP recruitment at a glance
- How BTP recruits: by location, with each campaign open for a few weeks and a closing date.
- Adverts open when this page was built: 15 of the 15 we track, including 5 new-constable campaigns.
- New constables: the Police Constable Entry Programme (PCEP), no degree needed, starting on £33,609.
- Deadlines: no extensions for any reason; some campaigns may close early.
- Not open: Scotland new recruits, PCDA, DHEP, direct entry detective and part-time new recruits.
- Unsuccessful? Current adverts say wait three months; older BTP pages say six.
We read every advert on BTP's vacancies portal on 23 October 2026. The Open or Closed status below is worked out from BTP's closing dates when this page was last built (24 October 2026). BTP can close a campaign early, so always check the advert itself before you rely on a date.
New constable (PCEP) campaigns
These are the campaigns for people joining BTP as new police officers. Each one names its locations and BTP recruits only for those:
| Advert (links to BTP) | Closing date as BTP writes it | Status when built (24 October 2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Police Officer, Inner London | Midnight on Sunday 1 November 2026 | Open | Training from April 2027; £33,609 plus £9,044.75 Inner London allowances |
| Police Officer, Basingstoke (B Division) | Midnight on Monday 2 November 2026 | Open | £3,105 South East Allowance; full UK driving licence essential |
| Police Officer, Truro, Swindon, Yeovil, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Coventry, Milton Keynes and Leicester (C Division) | Midnight on Monday 2 November 2026 | Open | Milton Keynes pays £3,105; full UK driving licence essential |
| Police Officer, Machynlleth (C Division), English and Welsh adverts | Midnight on Monday 2 November 2026 | Open | Welsh language: desirable |
| Police Officer, Stevenage, Colchester, Southend, Brighton and Guildford (B Division) | Midnight on Monday 16 November 2026 (may close early) | Open | South East Allowance £3,105, £2,000 or £1,000 by location |
"Midnight on Monday 2 November" is how BTP writes it; we treat it as the end of that day. If you are unsure, submit a day early. For the pay and allowances at each location, see BTP pay scales and allowances; for where the stations sit, see BTP divisions and postings.
Transferee and re-joiner campaigns
For serving officers in a Home Office force, Police Scotland or PSNI and for former officers re-joining within five years. MDP and CNC officers are not accepted as transferees. Several of these adverts work as talent pools with a start within 12 months.
| Advert (links to BTP) | Closing date as BTP writes it | Status when built (24 October 2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transferee and Re-Joiner PCs: Doncaster, Sheffield, Leicester, Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Milton Keynes | 2 November 2026 | Open | Talent pool; start within 12 months |
| Transferee and Re-Joiner PCs: London and the South East, Leeds, Brighton, Bournemouth, Luton and Stevenage, Truro, Plymouth | No closing date | Open | Rolling talent pools |
| Transferee and Re-Joiner Detective Constables, London | 23:59 on 31 October 2026 | Open | PIP 2 qualified detectives |
The London and the South East advert lists Inner London, Maidstone, Ashford, Colchester, Southend, Stevenage, Luton, Brighton, Guildford, Croydon and Southampton. Also on the portal on 23 October 2026: a Transferee and Re-Joiner PC Surveillance Officer advert in London (closing 30 October 2026) and a Transferee or Re-joiner PC Recruit Trainer advert in London (closing 31 October 2026). See our BTP transferee guide.
PCSOs, Specials and returners
PCSO adverts
| Advert (links to BTP) | Closing date as BTP writes it | Status when built (24 October 2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCSO, Cardiff, Newport, Pontypridd and Swansea (English and Welsh adverts) | Midnight on 24 October 2026 | Open | Welsh language: essential |
| PCSO, Bangor and Rhyl (English and Welsh adverts) | 24 October 2026 | Open | |
| PCSO, Inner London | No closing date | Open | £29,483.96 plus £4,775 London allowance |
| Transferee PCSO (nationwide) | 31 October 2026 | Open | Serving substantive PCSOs |
PCSO roles are only available in England and Wales. Completing PCSO probation also satisfies the work experience requirement for the PCEP. See the BTP PCSO guide.
Special Constables and former BTP officers
| Advert (links to BTP) | Closing date as BTP writes it | Status when built (24 October 2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Special Constables (Volunteer) | No closing date | Open | Rolling |
| Transferee Special Constables, April 2027 intake | 13 November 2026 | Open | Plus a rolling transferee Specials advert |
| BTP Returners, Police Constable | No closing date | Open | Former BTP officers |
The portal also listed a rolling BTP Police Officer to Special Constable advert, Volunteer Police Cadets in London (no closing date) and a Work Experience Student Placement 2027 (closing 18 December 2026). See BTP Special Constables.
Deadline calendar
Every dated advert above in closing order. Where BTP writes "midnight on" a date, we read the last day to apply as that date. 4 of the adverts we track have no closing date and are not in this list.
BTP gives no extensions and some campaigns may close early, so treat each date as the latest you could apply, not a target.
What BTP is not recruiting for right now
Just as useful as knowing what is open: on 23 October 2026 there was no campaign for these routes or areas.
| Route or area | Position on 23 October 2026 |
|---|---|
| New-recruit constables in Scotland (D Division) | No open campaign |
| The North West or North East (new recruits) | No open campaign outside the transferee adverts |
| Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) | Not offered: no vacancy or careers page |
| Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP) | Not offered as a named route: no vacancy |
| Direct entry detective (new recruits) | No live vacancy; the Detective Constable Accelerated Scheme page is out of date |
| Part-time new recruits | A part-time page exists for four London locations, but no live vacancy |
BTP's Graduate Programme and Detective Constable Accelerated Scheme pages are still on its careers site, but no vacancy uses them and their salary text is the 2024/25 scale. Do not treat them as open routes.
How BTP's location-led recruitment works
BTP opens constable campaigns for named locations rather than for the whole force at once. Each regional advert says: "We are only recruiting for the locations specified in this advert." Each campaign is open for a few weeks with a closing date.
- Choosing a campaign is choosing a posting area. You set your posting preference on the application, can add more at conditional offer and cannot change it after the formal offer.
- Each area has its own pay. Inner London adds £9,044.75 a year; some South East stations add a South East Allowance; most C Division towns have none.
- Each area has its own conditions. Regional campaigns need a full UK driving licence; Wales adverts carry a Welsh language field.
- After a conditional offer you can wait in the recruitment pool for up to 12 months until an intake is identified.
BTP's pack says there is no option to change your posting location for any reason once a formal offer has been made and relocation is at your own expense. Apply to the campaign that covers where you want to work.
Which campaign fits you
| If you are... | Look at | Key condition |
|---|---|---|
| New to policing and live in or near London | Police Officer, Inner London | Training from April 2027; £33,609 plus £9,044.75 London allowances; no licence requirement stated |
| New to policing near Basingstoke | Police Officer, Basingstoke | Full UK driving licence essential |
| New to policing near Stevenage, Colchester, Southend, Brighton or Guildford | The B Division five-town campaign | Licence essential; may close early |
| New to policing in the Midlands, the South West or near Milton Keynes | The C Division eight-town campaign | Licence essential |
| New to policing in mid Wales | Police Officer, Machynlleth | Licence essential; Welsh desirable |
| A serving constable in a Home Office force, Police Scotland or PSNI | Transferee and re-joiner adverts | Substantive, probation complete, no live misconduct; MDP and CNC officers are not accepted |
| A PIP 2 qualified detective | Transferee and re-joiner DCs, London | PIP 2 required |
| A former BTP officer | BTP Returners | Left within 12 months, or within 5 years with continuous police service |
| Wanting to volunteer | Special Constables | At least 16 hours a month |
The towns on the C Division campaign are Truro, Swindon, Yeovil, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Coventry, Milton Keynes and Leicester. Milton Keynes pays the South East Allowance; BTP names no location allowance for the other seven.
Pay on each new-constable campaign
Every campaign starts new recruits on pay point 2, £33,609 in 2026/27. The location allowance depends on the station. BTP pays every four weeks, 13 times a year:
| Campaign | Location allowance a year | Point 2 plus allowance | Gross per four-week period (/13) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inner London | £9,044.75 | £42,653.75 | £3,281.06 |
| Basingstoke | £3,105 | £36,714 | £2,824.15 |
| Stevenage, Colchester, Southend or Guildford (top tier on BTP's 2025/26 sheet) | £3,105 | £36,714 | £2,824.15 |
| Brighton (middle tier on BTP's 2025/26 sheet) | £2,000 (uprating not stated by BTP) | £35,609 | £2,739.15 |
| Milton Keynes (C Division campaign) | £3,105 | £36,714 | £2,824.15 |
| Truro, Swindon, Yeovil, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Coventry or Leicester | None named by BTP | £33,609 | £2,585.31 |
| Machynlleth | None named by BTP | £33,609 | £2,585.31 |
Inner London allowances are paid from day one of training. The Stevenage group advert says the South East Allowance is "either £3105, £2000 or £1000 depending on location"; the tier for each town comes from BTP's 2025/26 allowances sheet. For take-home, use the BTP take-home pay calculator.
Check you can apply before you start
BTP screens every application for minimum eligibility first. The main rules on the current PCEP adverts:
| Requirement (PCEP adverts) | Detail |
|---|---|
| Age | Apply from 17 and a half; you must be 18 to start (and, says BTP's pack, to attend the assessment centre). No upper age limit |
| Residence | Lived continuously in the UK for the three years immediately before applying |
| Right to work | Permanent right to live and work in the UK; BTP cannot support applicants who need a visa |
| English and maths | Level 2 (GCSE grade 4/C or equivalent), or pass BTP's online English and maths assessment |
| Level 3 or experience | A Level 3 qualification, or 12 months' policing experience in the last five years (Special with independent patrol status, PCSO or police staff), or 24 months in the armed forces, emergency services, revenue protection, railway enforcement or rail incident response or service delivery management |
| Driving licence | Full UK licence essential on every regional campaign; none stated for Inner London |
| Record and finances | No custodial or suspended sentence ever; no bankruptcy, County Court Judgment or unmanaged IVA; not refused vetting in the last two years |
BTP's FAQ page still says you do not need any qualifications; the live adverts require Level 3 or the experience route, so go by the advert. The full list, including tattoos, business interests and associations, is in our BTP eligibility guide.
Documents to have ready
| Have ready | Why |
|---|---|
| Level 2 English and maths certificates | Uploading them skips BTP's online maths and English assessments |
| Level 3 certificate, or evidence of your policing, forces, emergency services or rail experience | The PCEP adverts require one or the other, with evidence |
| Three years of UK addresses | Residence rule; BTP's vetting needs a full three years of address history |
| Five years of employment history | References cover five years (taken up only after an offer) |
| Full UK driving licence | Essential on every regional campaign |
| Proof of your right to work | BTP cannot support applicants who need a visa |
| Details of any cautions or convictions, including spent ones | They must be declared; non-disclosure is treated as dishonesty |
What happens after you apply
BTP says its process is "bespoke" and scores from other forces are not transferable. The stages on BTP's role page:
| Stage | BTP's name for it | Our guide |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Application form, including an application question and the Situational Judgement Test (SJT) | Application form and SJT |
| 2 | Online Ability Testing (maths and English), skipped if you upload qualifying Level 2 certificates | Online tests |
| 3 | Video Assessment (an observation-based written assessment) | Video assessment |
| 4 | Assessment Centre: presentation and interview, then the 5.4 fitness test, biometric vetting and uniform fitting | Assessment centre and fitness |
| 5 | Conditional offer, then the recruitment pool for up to 12 months | |
| 6 | Pre-employment checks: vetting, references and medical | Vetting and medical |
| 7 | Formal offer and contract, then training | Training |
BTP's Inner London advert lists an online assessment centre before a final interview; its role page describes online tests and a video assessment before an in-person assessment centre with a presentation and interview. BTP does not say what the online assessment centre contains, so follow the instructions you are sent.
What BTP looks for in the application
- Your reasons for BTP. BTP looks for "the rationale for wanting to join BTP", so explain why railway policing and not just policing.
- The CVF. Application answers are assessed against the College of Policing's Competency and Values Framework.
- Judgement. The SJT measures "decision-making, integrity, teamwork, communication and professionalism". BTP says there are no trick questions and no policing experience is needed.
- Accuracy. An unreasonable number of spelling or grammar errors makes the application unsuccessful.
- Honesty. Non-disclosure is treated as dishonesty and leads to a permanent bar from BTP.
BTP says the process "can be fairly lengthy". Do not resign from your current job until you hold the formal offer.
A 10-day plan to apply before the deadline
BTP does not publish a preparation timetable, so this is our suggestion, each step tied to a rule BTP does publish. If your campaign closes sooner, compress it, but do not skip the checks.
| Day | Do this | Why (from BTP's published rules) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Read the whole advert and the PDFs attached to it. Confirm the campaign covers where you want to work | BTP is only recruiting for the locations in each advert |
| 2 | Check every eligibility rule against your own situation | Screening for minimum eligibility comes first |
| 3 | Find your Level 2 English and maths certificates and your Level 3 or experience evidence | Uploading Level 2 certificates skips the online tests; evidence is required |
| 4 | List your addresses, jobs and anything you must declare | Non-disclosure means a permanent bar from BTP |
| 5 | Research BTP: its divisions, its jurisdiction and the area you are applying for | BTP looks for your rationale for joining BTP |
| 6 | Draft your answer to the application question against the CVF | Answers are assessed against the Competency and Values Framework |
| 7 | Read BTP's description of the SJT and practise judgement scenarios | Passing the SJT is required to progress |
| 8 | Decide your posting preference | You cannot change your posting once a formal offer has been made |
| 9 | Proofread everything, then submit | Too many spelling or grammar errors makes an application unsuccessful; no deadline extensions for any reason |
| 10 | Book a recruitment Q&A session and start bleep test training | The 5.4 test comes at the assessment centre, with a maximum of 3 attempts |
On using AI: BTP's South East advert says you may use it to generate ideas or structure answers, but "we want to hear your genuine voice". Write the final answer yourself.
Deadlines and early closing
- No extensions. BTP's guidance says there are no extensions to deadlines for any reason.
- Early closing. Some adverts say: "this campaign may close early if a high volume of applications is received." The Stevenage, Colchester, Southend, Brighton and Guildford advert is one of them.
- Midnight. BTP writes several deadlines as "midnight on" a date. Read it as the end of that day, but aim to submit at least a day before.
- The SJT is inside the application. Leave time to complete it before the deadline, not just the written question.
If you are unsuccessful
BTP's pages give two different waiting periods before you can apply again for the same role:
| Source | Wait before reapplying for the same role |
|---|---|
| BTP adverts from September 2026 (1746, 1775, 1778, 1783 and the Wales PCSO advert) | Three months |
| BTP FAQ page | Six months |
| BTP recruitment pack (October 2025), on online test retakes | Six months |
BTP's current adverts give a three-month reapplication period; older BTP pages say six months. Go by the advert you are applying to. Other points from BTP's FAQs:
- Feedback is given only to candidates who attended an interview, within up to eight weeks for officer roles.
- You can apply to other forces at the same time; withdraw from the other force once you get an offer.
- A failed fitness test can be retaken: a maximum of 3 attempts, passed within 6 months of the pre-conditional offer.
If your area is not open
BTP does not publish a calendar of future campaigns, so you cannot know when your area will open. What you can do:
- Watch BTP's vacancies portal. Every campaign is listed at vacancies.btp.police.uk.
- Join a recruitment Q&A session (dates below) and ask about your area.
- Leave your email in the alert below and we will tell you when we see a new BTP campaign open.
- Build the experience route. 12 months as a Special with independent patrol status, a PCSO or police staff in the last five years meets the PCEP experience requirement; BTP's Specials advert is rolling.
- Get ready now. Find your certificates, get fit beyond level 5.4 and research BTP, so you can apply in the first days of a campaign.
Recruitment window alerts
Tell me when BTP opens a new campaign
British Transport Police opens constable campaigns by location for a few weeks at a time. Leave your email and we will tell you when we see a new one open, by email written by hand. Occasional emails. Unsubscribe any time.
BTP recruitment Q&A sessions
BTP runs online "Discover Your Future in Policing" information and Q&A sessions. The dates listed on 23 October 2026:
| Date | Time | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Friday 6 November 2026 | 10:00 to 11:00 | Online: "Discover Your Future in Policing" information and Q&A session |
| Wednesday 18 November 2026 | 19:00 to 20:00 | Online: "Discover Your Future in Policing" information and Q&A session |
| Monday 30 November 2026 | 12:30 to 13:30 | Online: "Discover Your Future in Policing" information and Q&A session |
Details are on BTP's application workshop page and its vacancies portal. Good questions to take: which stations each campaign covers, when your area is next likely to open, what the online assessment centre involves and whether the £33,609 starting salary applies on every campaign.
Myths and facts about BTP recruitment
| You may have read | What BTP's own sources say |
|---|---|
| BTP is only recruiting in London | On 23 October 2026 BTP had new-recruit campaigns in Inner London, Basingstoke, five South East towns, eight C Division towns and Machynlleth. |
| You can apply to any campaign and ask to be posted elsewhere | Each regional advert says BTP is only recruiting for the locations it names. |
| The closing date is guaranteed | Some adverts say the campaign may close early if a high volume of applications is received. |
| BTP gives extensions if you have a good reason | BTP says there are no extensions to deadlines for any reason. |
| BTP runs the PCDA and DHEP | No. The live route for new constables is the PCEP, a non-degree two-year programme. |
| You must wait six months to reapply | BTP's current adverts say three months; its FAQ page and older pack say six. |
| Your scores from another force carry over | BTP runs a bespoke assessment process and scores are not transferable. |
| MDP or CNC officers can transfer in | BTP's transferee adverts do not accept MDP or CNC officers. |
What we could not verify
- When any closed or unlisted area will next open: BTP does not publish a campaign calendar.
- Intake dates other than "from April 2027" for the Inner London campaign.
- What the online assessment centre on the Inner London advert contains.
- Which of BTP's two stage lists is current for 2026/27 campaigns.
- How long the whole process takes: BTP says only that it can be fairly lengthy.
- Applicant pass rates at any stage.
- Whether a campaign has closed early since we read the portal on 23 October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is British Transport Police recruiting now?
On 23 October 2026 BTP had new-recruit police officer campaigns open for Inner London, Basingstoke, Stevenage, Colchester, Southend, Brighton and Guildford, eight C Division towns from Truro to Leicester and Machynlleth, plus transferee, PCSO and Special Constable adverts. This page shows each advert's status as at its last build; check BTP's vacancies portal for the live position.
When does the BTP Inner London campaign close?
BTP's advert says midnight on Sunday 1 November 2026. Training for that campaign starts from April 2027. BTP gives no extensions to deadlines.
Can I apply to BTP if my area is not on an advert?
Not for that area. Each regional advert says BTP is only recruiting for the locations it names. Watch BTP's vacancies portal, join a recruitment Q&A session or sign up for an alert so you hear when your area opens.
Does BTP recruit all year round?
Not for new constables. BTP opens police officer campaigns by location for a few weeks each, with a closing date. Some adverts, such as Special Constables, the Inner London PCSO advert and some transferee pools, have no closing date.
Is BTP recruiting in Scotland?
No new-recruit constable campaign for Scotland (D Division) was open on 23 October 2026.
Does BTP offer the PCDA or DHEP?
No. BTP recruits new constables through the Police Constable Entry Programme (PCEP), a two-year non-degree route. No PCDA or DHEP vacancy was open on 23 October 2026.
How long do I have to wait to reapply to BTP?
BTP's adverts from September 2026 give a three-month reapplication period. Its FAQ page and older recruitment pack say six months. Check the advert you are applying to.
Can I apply to BTP and another police force at the same time?
Yes. BTP's FAQs say you can, but you should withdraw from the other force once you get an offer.
Can a BTP campaign close early?
Yes. Some BTP adverts say the campaign may close early if a high volume of applications is received, so do not leave it to the closing date.
Is BTP recruiting transferees?
Yes. On 23 October 2026 there were transferee and re-joiner adverts for police constables in several locations, some with closing dates and some rolling, plus a London advert for PIP 2 qualified detective constables. MDP and CNC officers are not accepted as transferees.
How will I know when BTP opens a campaign in my area?
BTP lists every campaign on its vacancies portal. You can also leave your email in the alert on this page and we will tell you when we see a new BTP campaign open.
Sources and how we checked them
Every factual claim on this page was written from the sources below, read on 23 October 2026. Rules and figures change, so check the source for the date you are reading this. Where we could not confirm something from an official or independent source, the page says so rather than guessing. Spotted something out of date? See our corrections policy.
- BTP vacancies portal (all live jobs) : every live advert and closing date, read 23 October 2026; recruitment Q&A sessions (accessed 23 October 2026)
- BTP advert 1736: Police Officer, Inner London : closing date; training from April 2027; pay and allowances; the newest stage list (accessed 23 October 2026)
- BTP advert 1783: Police Officer, Basingstoke : closing date; licence essential; only the locations specified; three-month reapplication (accessed 23 October 2026)
- BTP advert 1775: Police Officer, Truro, Swindon, Yeovil, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Coventry, Milton Keynes and Leicester : closing date; licence essential; three-month reapplication (accessed 23 October 2026)
- BTP advert 1778: Police Officer, Machynlleth : closing date; Welsh desirable (accessed 23 October 2026)
- BTP advert 1746: Police Officer, Stevenage, Colchester, Southend, Brighton and Guildford : closing date; may close early; eligibility; AI rule; three-month reapplication (accessed 23 October 2026)
- BTP advert 793: Transferee and Re-Joiner Police Constable, London and the South East : rolling transferee pool; locations (accessed 23 October 2026)
- BTP advert 1823: Transferee and Re-Joiner PCs, Doncaster : regional transferee closing date (accessed 23 October 2026)
- BTP advert 1732: Transferee and Re-Joiner Detective Constables, London : PIP 2 detectives; closing date (accessed 23 October 2026)
- BTP advert 1771: PCSO, Cardiff, Newport, Pontypridd and Swansea : Welsh essential; three-month reapplication (accessed 23 October 2026)
- BTP advert 1720: Special Constables (Volunteer) : rolling Specials advert (accessed 23 October 2026)
- BTP careers: Police Officer (Full Time) : stages; conditional offer pool; Q&A sessions; eligibility (accessed 23 October 2026)
- BTP careers: Application Guidance : SJT, CVF scoring, spelling rule, no extensions (accessed 23 October 2026)
- BTP careers: FAQs : six-month reapplication wording; feedback; applying to other forces (accessed 23 October 2026)
- BTP Recruitment Information Pack (PDF, 9 Oct 2025, attached to advert 1720) : bespoke process; online test retakes; posting preferences (accessed 23 October 2026)
- BTP careers: Application Workshop : online information and Q&A sessions (accessed 23 October 2026)
On this topic elsewhere
More in this guide series
More for BTP applicants and officers
Disclaimer
PolicePay.co.uk is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with British Transport Police, the British Transport Police Authority, the BTP Force Superannuation Fund, Railpen or the College of Policing. It does not recruit, test or assess applicants. Our practice questions and scenarios are original PolicePay material, not BTP's own. BTP runs its own selection process and changes it. Its own pages sometimes disagree, so check the live advert and BTP's careers site before relying on anything here. Details are as checked on 23 October 2026.