The UK’s ‘See it. Say it. Sorted.’ rail safety campaign has helped British Transport Police record almost 83,000 crimes over the past decade, as the initiative marks its 10th anniversary.
Figures published on 31 October 2026 show that passengers have sent more than 1.5 million messages to the police using the 61016 text service since the campaign was launched in 2016. The reports have resulted in more than 175,000 police deployments across the railway network.
The campaign encourages passengers to report suspicious behaviour, criminal activity and safety concerns, giving the public a discreet way to alert officers to incidents while travelling.
More than 200,000 messages are now sent to British Transport Police through 61016 annually, representing an almost tenfold increase compared with the campaign’s first year. The service receives more than 25,000 messages each month.
Rail Minister Lord Hendy said the campaign had played an important role in improving railway safety and changing how passengers report incidents.
He said the nearly 83,000 crimes recorded through the service demonstrated that reports from the public lead to tangible action and showed how passengers could contribute to keeping the railway network safe.
Although originally focused on counter-terrorism, the campaign has expanded to cover a broader range of offences and safety concerns, including sexual harassment and suspicious behaviour.
The initiative is mandatory across train operators and stations in England, Scotland and Wales. Government figures indicate that more than 60% of people feel safer when visible security measures are in place.
A single message can lead to a conviction
One example of the service’s impact occurred in March 2025, when a passenger travelling on a train to London Euston reported a man viewing graphic child abuse material on his mobile phone.
The passenger discreetly contacted police through 61016. Officers intercepted the train, arrested the suspect and secured a conviction, resulting in a prison sentence of more than two years.
British Transport Police Chief Constable Lucy D’Orsi said the campaign had helped raise awareness of the text service and encouraged passengers to report incidents that might otherwise go unnoticed.
She described the free and discreet service as an important tool for reporting crime, suspicious activity and sexual harassment, adding that public vigilance remained essential to railway safety.
Government funding to strengthen railway security
The campaign’s anniversary comes as the government increases investment in railway security.
British Transport Police is set to receive an additional £63 million over three years, funding more than 200 extra officers. The expansion includes 36 officers for a dedicated team tasked with reducing violence and intimidation against women and girls.
A further £17 million will be invested in upgrading CCTV systems at railway stations.
For the first time, rail operators will also be assessed on their commitments to tackling violence against women and girls, as the government seeks to improve passenger safety across the network.
The Department for Transport and British Transport Police say the combination of public reporting, additional officers and improved security infrastructure will help make rail travel safer. Photo by John K Thorne, Wikimedia commons.
