RAIL unions are warning of possible industrial action if plans to abolish British Transport Police as a separate force in Scotland go ahead.

The Scottish Government wants to transfer railway policing north of the border to Police Scotland, after this was recommended by the Smith Commission. The Commission was created by former Prime Minister David Cameron in 2014 in the wake of the Scottish independence referendum, to consider further areas of devolution.

But critics of the idea are becoming more vocal, and they include the RMT, ASLEF and TSSA. There are fears that officers could be moved from railway duties to other police responsibilities, putting the security of passengers at risk, and that a valuable pool of specialist knowledge about railway policing could be diluted and eventually lost.

TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes, who has been in talks with transport minister Humza Yousaf about the proposals, said strikes could follow as a last resort, on the grounds that the health and safety of railway passengers and staff could be endangered.

He said: "We don't see any need for a breakup of British Transport Police. The feeling from our members is that the public needs to be able to rely on a safe transport system and if that safety is diminished then it become a real issue for our union and other unions."

Both ASLEF and the RMT are also opposing the idea and warning that ballots for industrial action could follow.

However, the Scottish Government said: "Specialist railway policing expertise and capacity will be maintained and protected within the broader structure of Police Scotland.

"Devolution of BTP was recommended by the Smith Commission, reached through cross-party agreement. The integration with Police Scotland will enhance railway policing through direct access to the local, specialist and national resources of Police Scotland to build upon the high levels of personal safety and security currently enjoyed by passengers and staff."