See it. Say it. Sorted.

[styles]

Whilst is might still be appropriate to call 999 from a moving train in the case of a critical emergency, the general idea is that 61016 enables text messages to be seen and triaged quickly. Also it is discreet. Not a good idea to be bellowing into a mobile phone (to speak above the ambient noise) that there is a gang of thugs with machetes threatening fellow passengers.

Transport is particularly prone to this issue as there's nowhere to run if the people you're complaining about turn aggressive. Ok in theory you could use emergency door releases but I wouldn't like my odds of a random passenger doing this very quickly in a panic situation.

 

[saismee]

Transport is particularly prone to this issue as there's nowhere to run if the people you're complaining about turn aggressive. Ok in theory you could use emergency door releases but I wouldn't like my odds of a random passenger doing this very quickly in a panic situation.

Especially as the door releases only work when stopped!

 

[Bikeman78]

Especially as the door releases only work when stopped!

They should apply the brakes. Obviously one needs to wait for the train to stop before jumping out. I've clearly led a sheltered life. Never seen a machete on a train.

 

[Lewisham2221]

I've clearly led a sheltered life. Never seen a machete on a train.

There's lots of things I've never personally witnessed, but that doesn't mean they've never happened.

 

[bunnahabhain]

They should apply the brakes. Obviously one needs to wait for the train to stop before jumping out. I've clearly led a sheltered life. Never seen a machete on a train.

That entirely depends really, 158s they will apply the brakes but the doors will open after a certain time regardless of the current speed. 170s the driver can override the egress but again, after a certain time has elapsed the doors will open regardless of speed, or if the speed at any point drops below approx 5kmh.

 

[Steddenm]

Thameslink have turned it into a song...

See it, Slay it, Sorted!

Pixie Polite, GTR · See it, Slay it, Sorted! · Song · 2025

open.spotify.com

Albeit they've changed the words to See It, Slay It, Sorted but does have the 61016 number in it

 

[styles]

Thameslink have turned it into a song...

See it, Slay it, Sorted!

Pixie Polite, GTR · See it, Slay it, Sorted! · Song · 2025

open.spotify.com

Albeit they've changed the words to See It, Slay It, Sorted but does have the 61016 number in it

I take my earlier comments back.

I now understand what psychological distress is.

 

[CaptainHaddock]

Whilst is might still be appropriate to call 999 from a moving train in the case of a critical emergency, the general idea is that 61016 enables text messages to be seen and triaged quickly. Also it is discreet. Not a good idea to be bellowing into a mobile phone (to speak above the ambient noise) that there is a gang of thugs with machetes threatening fellow passengers.

After nine years of hearing this announcement on every train you catch there can't be a single traveller who hasn't heard it nor is there anyone who takes any notice. I suspect the only people texting 60106 are the rail equivalent of busybodies and curtain twitchers. Time it was gracefully retired

 

[Dr Hoo]

Well I have already recalled how I’ve faced a situation with someone using a (serious) knife in a compartment and using 61016 to alert police to a vulnerable female, initiating a positive response.

I am not sure how alert anyone else is to what is going on in plain sight.

 

[Sakuradori]

I suspect the only people texting 60106 are the rail equivalent of busybodies and curtain twitchers.

As station staff I use it quite a lot, but for the more serious things I use their call number instead.

 

[Lewisham2221]

Happens all the time, doesn't it? Gangs of thugs threatening passengers with machetes are so common on my daily commute that twice this week I've got complacent and forgotten to wear my stabproof vest.

Has your house ever burnt down? No? Might as well scrap the fire service then...

Have I ever needed to call the AA? No? Well stuff everyone else, we can send the AA packing too...

See how ridiculous that sounds?

But seriously, after nine years of hearing this announcement on every train you catch there can't be a single traveller who hasn't heard it nor is there anyone who takes any notice. I suspect the only people texting 60106 are the rail equivalent of busybodies and curtain twitchers. Time it was gracefully retired

There are hundreds of train services per day, operated by one TOC alone, which don't feature the "See it. Say it. Sorted" announcement.

However, the amount of people in this thread alone complaining about the announcement would suggest that there are plenty of people who take plenty of notice of it.

And as has been pointed out several times already, 61016 is used by people to make genuinely worthwhile reports.

 

[Horizon22]

If this was such a concern, there would be a barrage of passenger complaints about it.

As it is, there simply isn’t and indeed it (by which I mean ‘excessive announcements’) is almost non-existent as a passenger complaint.

This is on the whole an enthusiast concern, not a general passenger one.

 

[Watershed]

If this was such a concern, there would be a barrage of passenger complaints about it.

As it is, there simply isn’t and indeed it (by which I mean ‘excessive announcements’) is almost non-existent as a passenger complaint.

This is on the whole an enthusiast concern, not a general passenger one.

Most people don't raise a complaint unless they're seriously unhappy with something. They understandably perceive it as a process that will take effort and where there's a low chance of actually getting what you are after.

Just because complaints aren't raised, doesn't mean that it's a pain point for passengers. There are lots of areas where the industry recognises it has more to do even though there aren't necessarily huge volumes of complaints.

 

[Horizon22]

Most people don't raise a complaint unless they're seriously unhappy with something. They understandably perceive it as a process that will take effort and where there's a low chance of actually getting what you are after.

Just because complaints aren't raised, doesn't mean that it's a pain point for passengers. There are lots of areas where the industry recognises it has more to do even though there aren't necessarily huge volumes of complaints.

However there are more complaints about equally small things. Again this doesn't appear really on the radar at all, even in proactive surveying of rail passengers.

 

[Krokodil]

I suspect the only people texting 60106 are the rail equivalent of busybodies and curtain twitchers. Time it was gracefully retired

Plenty of staff use it often. I've used it for fare evasion, begging, vulnerable kids, being spat at - anything which doesn't justify a 999 call.

I had a passenger recount a tale of having to call the police about some nutter on a train. She did appreciate me telling her about the number she could text in future.

 

[43066]

Most people don't raise a complaint unless they're seriously unhappy with something. They understandably perceive it as a process that will take effort and where there's a low chance of actually getting what you are after.

Just because complaints aren't raised, doesn't mean that it's a pain point for passengers.

Yet there are complaints about many other issues. There also needs to be some objective evidence of dissatisfaction - otherwise anyone could point to anything they personally dislike and argue that it should be changed, irrespective of anyone else’s views on the matter.

There are lots of areas where the industry recognises it has more to do even though there aren't necessarily huge volumes of complaints.

Such as what?

 

[Horizon22]

Yet there are complaints about many other issues. There also needs to be some objective evidence of dissatisfaction - otherwise anyone could point to anything they personally dislike and argue that it should be changed, irrespective of anyone else’s views on the matter.

Indeed. It all needs to be relative.

There are things that enthusiasts - and indeed staff! - think are generally poor that passengers also think are poor, such as the fares system. But many are disproportionate. The average forum user here is vastly more informed than the average passenger and that skews perceptions.

Trust me when I say people will complain about anything and when you look at data, it barely features. Station announcements are seen as worse than on-train, but again neither are high-profile items by any stretch.

 

[Dr_Paul]

Regarding the nanny state, the constant announcements at stations telling us that due to todays wet weather, platforms may be slippery gets my goat

I don't think it's a case of 'nanny stating', rather I think it's more likely to be the litigious predilections of some people. If there is no warning and someone slips when alighting, he could try to sue the company, on the grounds of negligence, that there was no warning that the platform might be wet. Giving a warning over the train's tannoy could reduce the possibility of a legal challenge on that basis. My motor's manual describes how to replace broken lightbulbs, but then recommends that a recognised dealer do the job. It's a simple, five-minute job that I've done several times. I think the recommendation is there to avoid possible legal challenges; if someone makes a pig's ear of this or a similar job and tries to make a case against the manufacturer, the latter can tell him that it recommends a dealer do the job. People make all sorts of vexatious cases these days in the hopes of making a few bob.

 

[styles]

I don't think it's a case of 'nanny stating', rather I think it's more likely to be the litigious predilections of some people. If there is no warning and someone slips when alighting, he could try to sue the company, on the grounds of negligence, that there was no warning that the platform might be wet. Giving a warning over the train's tannoy could reduce the possibility of a legal challenge on that basis.

Unless the station used sheet aluminium as flooring, such a case would be dismissed pretty sharpish. People don't successfully sue railway stations or highways authorities because platforms and pavements are slippery. I mean you can try, but it won't work.

My motor's manual describes how to replace broken lightbulbs, but then recommends that a recognised dealer do the job. It's a simple, five-minute job that I've done several times. I think the recommendation is there to avoid possible legal challenges; if someone makes a pig's ear of this or a similar job and tries to make a case against the manufacturer, the latter can tell him that it recommends a dealer do the job. People make all sorts of vexatious cases these days in the hopes of making a few bob.

I think the recommendation is there because some people touch the bulbs with their fingers then they blow within hours, or they just aren't expected to do simple vehicle repairs any more as the skill and confidence is lost. I doubt you'd get far trying to sue Ford because you crashed your car due to a bulb blowing within hours of replacing it because you touched it with your naturally greasy fingers. They just can't be arsed dealing with the complaints is more likely imo.

 

[Siemens Trains]

Unless the station used sheet aluminium as flooring, such a case would be dismissed pretty sharpish. People don't successfully sue railway stations or highways authorities because platforms and pavements are slippery. I mean you can try, but it won't work.

Yes, I suspect it's more a case of using the announcement to discourage any falling passengers from wasting employee's time complaining to a member of staff about it.

It also clarifies that a normal floor shouldn't be classed as 'something that doesn't look right'.

Much cheaper to play an automatic loop instead of paying someone to repeat the message or argue with an irate passenger when they make a futile objection. Apologies if this has already been mentioned but it's a bit like 'mind the gap' etc.

 

[Cell2025]

After nine years of hearing this announcement on every train you catch there can't be a single traveller who hasn't heard it nor is there anyone who takes any notice. I suspect the only people texting 60106 are the rail equivalent of busybodies and curtain twitchers. Time it was gracefully retired

I'm still trying to work out whether this is a wind up or a genuinely odd post. I hope the latter but suspect the former.

Allegedly there were 668,000 texts sent in the first ten years of operation, and the following numbers, though not large in themselves, show that as with all insurance policies it's there to respond if the worst happens. Around 2,000 reports in one year, so six a day. If it's helped anyone get out of trouble then it's worth it.

"A decade after it started, a text is now received every two minutes into the force’s contact centre during daytime hours.

And in 2022 alone, the force received texts relating to 472 reports of sexual harassment, 540 incidents involving a sexual offence, 573 hate crimes and 434 reports of theft."

https://www.btp.police.uk/news/btp/news/england/british-transport-police-marks-more-than-half-a-million-texts-on-10th-birthday/

 

[CharlieSpotted]

Hm, although I'm in general agreement that of course it's better that serious crimes like those are captured and can be investigated...

If there are 6 reports a day, and the message is played thousands of times up and down the country on trains and at stations, to an audience of tens of thousands of people (or more?)... either that means that the crime rate on the railway is incredibly low or that the announcement is incredibly ineffective. Perhaps because people have tuned it out.

 

[Cell2025]

Hm, although I'm in general agreement that of course it's better that serious crimes like those are captured and can be investigated...

If there are 6 reports a day, and the message is played thousands of times up and down the country on trains and at stations, to an audience of tens of thousands of people (or more?)... either that means that the crime rate on the railway is incredibly low or that the announcement is incredibly ineffective. Perhaps because people have tuned it out.

There were, on average, 30 texts an hour each day over 2022. The 6 relates to sexual assaults, harassment, hate crimes and theft. Tell those people that it wasn't worth it.

Not all of those 30 per hour will be serious, or even appropriate, of course but I think you've concentrated on the wrong figure, opr misinterpreted, deliberately or otherwise.

And yes, crime is much lower everywhere than perceived, and rail travel is relatively safe. But that's of no comfort to those (mainly women, no doubt) who reported sexual assault/harassment. The queer/trans community who were hassled and could find a safe way of reporting hate crime.

The basic tenet of your argument, which you accept is theoretical because you used the word 'perhaps', is that people who are feeling under threat, or whatever, won't use the system because they've screened it out. It is equally likely that subliminally the message is in the brain and if something happens it's ready to be utilised.

This is an odd subject to die on a hill for. Obviously if people can find a better system that protects people the way this one does, then fire away. I'm sure we're all ears, as is the industry.

 

[CharlieSpotted]

There were, on average, 30 texts an hour each day over 2022. The 6 relates to sexual assaults, harassment, hate crimes and theft. Tell those people that it wasn't worth it.

Not all of those 30 per hour will be serious, or even appropriate, of course but I think you've concentrated on the wrong figure, opr misinterpreted, deliberately or otherwise.

Yep, I definitely misinterpreted the 6 figure, I assure you in error.

And yes, crime is much lower everywhere than perceived, and rail travel is relatively safe. But that's of no comfort to those (mainly women, no doubt) who reported sexual assault/harassment. The queer/trans community who were hassled and could find a safe way of reporting hate crime.

Absolutely accepted on both points. I'm acutely aware that, not just on the railway, the perception of (particularly violent) crime is much greater than the reality, and I absolutely accept that fact is of no consequence to those people who are the victims of crime.

The basic tenet of your argument, which you accept is theoretical because you used the word 'perhaps', is that people who are feeling under threat, or whatever, won't use the system because they've screened it out. It is equally likely that subliminally the message is in the brain and if something happens it's ready to be utilised.

Yes, it was theoretical, and both are possible.

This is an odd subject to die on a hill for. Obviously if people can find a better system that protects people the way this one does, then fire away. I'm sure we're all ears, as is the industry.

And this is where perhaps I haven't made myself clear. I'm in favour of the system - it's clearly a useful innovation to allow discrete contact to be made with the police, and a useful way for that increasingly thinly-stretched Police to recieve and triage the reports they receive. It's also not a hill I'm prepared to die on, but something I find interesting!

What I'm questioning is whether thousands of messages played out loud up and down the country every day is really the "right" way to promote it, and given the relatively small number of reports received, and the even smaller number that are serious, whether it's even effective at this point.

Seperately, a thought occurs that SMS is a very old technology and I suspect I'm not alone in that I almost never use it nowadays. Maybe a "phase 2" for the service is to provide the ability to message using eg WhatsApp, as many businesses do these days, but that's by-the-by.

 

[renegademaster]

I used 61016 to report that a gate onto the BML had been left open. Probably should have called NR directly, but i didn't know their number off by heart, and texting 61016 is easier than navigating the NR switchboard for 20 minutes

 

[saismee]

Yes, I suspect it's more a case of using the announcement to discourage any falling passengers from wasting employee's time complaining to a member of staff about it.

It also clarifies that a normal floor shouldn't be classed as 'something that doesn't look right'.

Much cheaper to play an automatic loop instead of paying someone to repeat the message or argue with an irate passenger when they make a futile objection. Apologies if this has already been mentioned but it's a bit like 'mind the gap' etc.

Any platform host or gateline staff will confirm that announcements don't make a difference and people will still ask the most basic questions no matter how many times its announced or displayed. Look at how many people attempt to use contactless to Stansted Airport! I'm sure the announcements reduce these things though, and an announcement about slippery surfaces will certainly remind some to take a little extra care.

 

[CharlieSpotted]

Any platform host or gateline staff will confirm that announcements don't make a difference and people will still ask the most basic questions no matter how many times its announced or displayed.

And that's because... ? There are far too many announcements and people have stopped listening ? Maybe.

Noise-cancelling headphones also likely to play a part, of course. Noise cancelling headphones that people wear to, well, block out extraneous and irritating noise...

 

[styles]

Any platform host or gateline staff will confirm that announcements don't make a difference

They can't possibly know this unless they've been surveying passengers though. It's just a hunch, and one likely biased from being bored of hearing the announcements themselves for 8 hours a day.

and people will still ask the most basic questions no matter how many times its announced or displayed.

But that doesn't say anything about the number of passengers who don't ask basic questions because they've heard an announcement. We'll never 100% resolve an issue like that through announcements alone of course.

Look at how many people attempt to use contactless to Stansted Airport!

Sure but how many more would attempt to use contactless to Stansted Airport if the announcement didn't exist?

I'm sure the announcements reduce these things though, and an announcement about slippery surfaces will certainly remind some to take a little extra care.

Indeed, I'm sure they make a decent dent in a number of problem areas. I've certainly used 61016 because the announcements have drilled it into me, and I've got off Tube trains when I've heard an announcement and realised I've boarded the wrong one in a rush, etc.

I expect the forum has a greater tendency to dislike announcements because we know the information already (or at least we like to think we do!) We know 61016, where the safety posters are, to put small bags overhead and larger ones in racks, not to skateboard on the platforms, that vaping isn't allowed, etc. A lot of passengers do not though.

 

[saismee]

I expect the forum has a greater tendency to dislike announcements because we know the information already (or at least we like to think we do!) We know 61016, where the safety posters are, to put small bags overhead and larger ones in racks, not to skateboard on the platforms, that vaping isn't allowed, etc. A lot of passengers do not though.

I don't hate the announcements, I actually don't think there's enough of them sometimes. Hearing them over and over again for 8 hours doesn't bother me as they're easy enough to tune out at a station when you have more visual stimulus. I think complaints about on-train announcements are more reasonable as you just want to relax once you're on the train.

It's also certainly an operator-dependent issue. I have no problems with announcements on GA stations or trains, except maybe between Liverpool Street and Stratford as the TfL connections drag on. GN is where I have a problem of too few announcements. The 387/379 scrolling displays are so slow and I find that the audio announcements don't work half the time (the other half is when my train is cancelled ). I've never been on SWR which seems to be the biggest offender for audio spam.

 

[styles]

I don't hate the announcements, I actually don't think there's enough of them sometimes. Hearing them over and over again for 8 hours doesn't bother me as they're easy enough to tune out at a station when you have more visual stimulus. I think complaints about on-train announcements are more reasonable as you just want to relax once you're on the train.

It's also certainly an operator-dependent issue. I have no problems with announcements on GA stations or trains, except maybe between Liverpool Street and Stratford as the TfL connections drag on. GN is where I have a problem of too few announcements. The 387/379 scrolling displays are so slow and I find that the audio announcements don't work half the time (the other half is when my train is cancelled ). I've never been on SWR which seems to be the biggest offender for audio spam.

Yes very operator, and perhaps line, specific.

I live near the borders railway, and ScotRail don't put many announcements on for us.

East Midlands Trains used to be awful for it - you'd leave Nottingham, and by the time you'd been told you'd be calling at Beeston, East Midlands Parkway, Loughborough, Leicester, Market Harborough, Kettering, and London St Pancras arriving into London at 1355, the train is formed of 5 carriages, first class accommodation is available at the front of the train, standard class seating is available at the rear of the train, coach C is unserved for passengers travelling without a seat reservation, please have tickets and railcards ready as a full ticket check will be taking place, please familiarise yourself with the safety posters at the end of each carriage, if you see something that doesn't look right text the British transport police on 61016, see it, say it, sorted, please keep aisles free of luggage - large luggage can be placed in the rack at the end of each carriage, smaller items please place in the overhead storage, there is a buffet car today in coach B, offering a selection of hot and cold snacks, hot drinks, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages, a reminder again that this is the 1212 East Midlands Railway Service to London St Pancras, etc etc; you were actually rolling into Beeston station.