GovWire

New National Rail Security campaign starts today: 'See it. Say it. Sorted.'

Department for Transport

November 1
14:16 2016

A new nationwide campaign to encourage train passengers and station visitors to report any unusual items or activity has been launched today (1 November 2016) by Rail Minister Paul Maynard at London Waterloo.

Designed by government, police and the rail industry, the new campaign aims to help build a more vigilant network on railways across the country and raise awareness of the vital role the public can play in keeping themselves and others safe.

Passengers arriving at major train stations this morning in London, Birmingham, Glasgow, and Manchester will be among the first to hear updated security announcements and see posters promoting the new See it. Say it. Sorted. campaign message.

Everyone who uses the rail network is being urged to report anything unusual either in person to rail staff, by texting British Transport Police (BTP) on 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40, helping to keep the UKs rail network safe.

See it. Say it. Sorted safety campaign.

Rail Minister Paul Maynard said:

We want to send a clear message to anyone threatening the security of the rail network that there are thousands of pairs of eyes and ears ready to report any potential threat to the British Transport Police and rail staff who are ready to respond to these reports.

Todays campaign is aimed at our railways but the recent incident at North Greenwich underground station, where an alert member of the public reported an unattended bag to a member of staff, reminds us just how important it is to be vigilant.

I would urge anyone who spots anything unusual to speak to rail staff or contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40.

British Transport Police Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Alun Thomas said:

Dont be afraid to report anything that feels out of place. We rely on information from the public to help us keep the rail network safe.

It could be someone avoiding rail staff or police, leaving a bag on the railway, checking out security arrangements like CCTV or trying to access staff-only areas.

If it doesnt feel right, we want to hear from you. Let us decide if what you have seen or what you know is important. We will check the information thoroughly.

See it. Say it. Sorted safety campaign launch.

Gary Cooper, Director of Operations at the Rail Delivery Group, representing train operators and Network Rail, said:

Safety and security are paramount. Our customers, who are at the heart of everything we do, rightly expect this.

With rail staff, British Transport Police, and customers all working together to identify any activity that doesnt look normal, we can help ensure millions of customers journeys and all freight deliveries are safely and securely completed every day so that Britains railway remains the safest in Europe.

The new See it. Say it. Sorted. campaign starts today at major railway stations and will be rolled out across the rest of network in England, Scotland and Wales.

The campaign complements the British Transport Polices innovative 61016 text service, which allows the public to report non-emergency incidents on the railway discreetly 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. Since it started 3 years ago, the service has received almost 50,000 text messages from UK rail users. Police have responded to more than 8,000 incidents and recorded just over 4,100 crimes all as the result of a simple text message.

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