King Charles III officially opened the new headquarters of the British Transport Police (BTP) in London Victoria on July 8, 2026. During the engagement, he met with eight officers who responded to the Bedford train tragedy on June 19, an incident that resulted in the death of the train driver and injuries to 162 passengers, nine of whom were critically hurt.
He was updated by the officers that no survivors remained in critical condition, though some sustained life-changing injuries. Among the officers he met were the first on the scene, PC Dave Sheldrick, family liaison officers, and those tasked with returning property to passengers. The King shook hands with the officers and expressed his gratitude for their efforts.
During his visit, which lasted approximately half an hour in the headquarters' underground car park, the King observed police dogs, handlers, and drones in action. He also engaged with specialist forensics officers about the potential impact of artificial intelligence on their work. He was informed that while AI may not significantly alter evidence collection, which remains a human-led process, it could streamline administrative tasks.
In a speech, Chief Constable Lucy D'Orsi highlighted the historical connection between the Royal family and railways, referencing Queen Victoria's first train journey in 1842. King Charles, in his response, acknowledged the hard work of the BTP, stating his awareness of their significant contribution from years of travel.
The BTP, responsible for policing Britain's railways and other transport networks across England, Scotland, and Wales, moved into its new headquarters in March 2025. The King also spoke with officers focused on addressing violence and intimidation against women and girls on the transport network.