See it. Say it. Sorted.

[Cell2025]

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



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.



Yes, it was theoretical, and both are possible.



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.

THank you for your considered response

 

[flythetube]

Government Press Release

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-look-same-message-see-it-say-it-sorted

Train passengers across Great Britain will start to see new ‘See it. Say it. Sorted’ posters and hear updated announcements from today (16 September 2025), marking the campaign’s first major refresh in a decade.

Since the campaign’s launch in 2016, reports to British Transport Police’s 61016 text service have increased more than eightfold to 255,088 a year – helping to improve the safety of travellers across the rail network.

To make reporting even easier, posters have had a makeover to clearly display the 61016 text number and the renowned ‘See it. Say it. Sorted’ train and station announcements have had an upgrade to make their wording clearer.

The new campaign is designed to help passengers more easily spot when something doesn’t look right, by explicitly showing and telling them what this could be, like an unattended bag, or someone accessing an area they shouldn’t.

The government is also providing a nearly £17 million funding boost so Network Rail can make improvements to enhance police access to CCTV from railway stations. This will enable BTP officers to have more access to real-time footage from across the railway and help to identify offenders as quickly as possible, supporting the government’s Plan for Change by making our streets safer.

The Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, is meeting British Transport Police (BTP) Chief Constable, Lucy D’Orsi, at London Victoria to unveil the renewed campaign and hear about how it helps passengers report to the BTP.

Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, said:

See it. Say it. Sorted’ isn’t just an earworm that’s been the soundtrack to our trains for nearly a decade now – it’s a really important security and public safety campaign.
It plays a crucial role in making our railways safe and this refresh will help spread its message to even more people.
We’re committed to making our railway as secure as possible, which is why we’re also improving CCTV connectivity, to help police identify offenders and bring them to justice faster – particularly key as we work towards our goal of halving violence against women and girls in the next decade.

BTP Chief Constable, Lucy D’Orsi, said:

Our officers are out across the railway network 24/7 working to keep the public safe – but ‘See it. Say it. Sorted’ reminds us that passengers and rail staff also have a vital role to play in being our eyes and ears.
Our pioneering 61016 text service is a simple and discreet way to report crime across the rail network, and thanks to the ‘See it. Say it. Sorted’ campaign, you can save 61016 in your phone today and contact BTP immediately if something doesn’t feel right on your journey.
Over 1 million 61016 texts have been sent since its introduction in 2013 – so I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank the public for continuing to help us create a network of vigilance. Trust your instincts and text us on 61016.

Security Minister, Dan Jarvis, said:

See it. Say it. Sorted’ has become part of the national consciousness - whether you’re commuting into work or waiting for a coffee at the station, we’re all familiar with the message.
As we relaunch the campaign, I encourage everyone to look out for one another, trust your instincts and if something doesn’t feel right, text British Transport Police on 61016.

The campaign has also evolved to encourage passengers to report any non-urgent crimes to the BTP, including anything that makes passengers feel unsafe or uncomfortable, helping police keep our railway safe.

 

[stadler]

Government Press Release

Link to page https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-look-same-message-see-it-say-it-sorted

Train passengers across Great Britain will start to see new ‘See it. Say it. Sorted’ posters and hear updated announcements from today (16 September 2025), marking the campaign’s first major refresh in a decade.

Since the campaign’s launch in 2016, reports to British Transport Police’s 61016 text service have increased more than eightfold to 255,088 a year – helping to improve the safety of travellers across the rail network.

To make reporting even easier, posters have had a makeover to clearly display the 61016 text number and the renowned ‘See it. Say it. Sorted’ train and station announcements have had an upgrade to make their wording clearer.

The new campaign is designed to help passengers more easily spot when something doesn’t look right, by explicitly showing and telling them what this could be, like an unattended bag, or someone accessing an area they shouldn’t.

The government is also providing a nearly £17 million funding boost so Network Rail can make improvements to enhance police access to CCTV from railway stations. This will enable BTP officers to have more access to real-time footage from across the railway and help to identify offenders as quickly as possible, supporting the government’s Plan for Change by making our streets safer.

The Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, is meeting British Transport Police (BTP) Chief Constable, Lucy D’Orsi, at London Victoria to unveil the renewed campaign and hear about how it helps passengers report to the BTP.

Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, said:


BTP Chief Constable, Lucy D’Orsi, said:


Security Minister, Dan Jarvis, said:


The campaign has also evolved to encourage passengers to report any non-urgent crimes to the BTP, including anything that makes passengers feel unsafe or uncomfortable, helping police keep our railway safe.

I am willing to bet that this refresh means even more annoying "See It Say It Sorted" announcements but just reworded. They will probably be playing them twice as often now. I am so fed up of hearing these announcements on the railways every day. It has gone on too long. We managed fine for decades before these announcements started and Mainland Europe manages fine without any equivalent safety announcements. Just put up some police text number posters at stations if you have to but get rid of the dreadful annoying "See It Say It Sorted" and other safety announcements. I can guarantee that every passenger hates them.

 

[43066]

I can guarantee that every passenger hates them.

You can’t, though. There aren’t significant passenger complaints about it either, to my knowledge, which suggests it isn’t an issue for most. As a member of staff who hears the announcement far more than most passengers I can’t say it bothers me, nor have any colleagues mentioned it annoying them.

It also appears the campaign has been successful as texts to 61016 have increased hugely. As someone who spends a lot of time on and around the railway I think that’s a good thing and I’m glad to see the campaign being refreshed.

 

[styles]

I am willing to bet that this refresh means even more annoying "See It Say It Sorted" announcements but just reworded. They will probably be playing them twice as often now. I am so fed up of hearing these announcements on the railways every day. It has gone on too long. We managed fine for decades before these announcements started and Mainland Europe manages fine without any equivalent safety announcements.

Mainland Europe has its fair share of crime on their railways. I wouldn't hold up something like the Paris or Rome metros as bastions of passengers safety for example.

Just put up some police text number posters at stations if you have to but get rid of the dreadful annoying "See It Say It Sorted" and other safety announcements.

Plenty of passengers don't (or can't) read posters, just as many don't (or can't) listen to announcements. A successful publicity campaign (which the 61016 campaign clearly is given how many texts they receive) requires more than one medium.

I can guarantee that every passenger hates them.

Well you can't, because I don't hate them.

 

[jon0844]

I see lots of posts on other (general) forums and Facebook where people talk of issues they could have reported themselves, but for whatever reason did not know how to. People are likely scared to be seen on the phone to the police on a train if the offenders are nearby, but a subtle text can work wonders (and I always get a response when I use it, including actual police attendance on occasions where it was warranted).

It's quite amazing how few people know about calling 101 for non emergency calls in other situations, and then don't report anything at all because they didn't think it warranted calling 999.

Many people just report on social media and think that's good enough.

 

[Purple Train]

You can’t, though. There aren’t significant passenger complaints about it either, to my knowledge, which suggests it isn’t an issue for most. As a member of staff who hears the announcement far more than most passengers I can’t say it bothers me, nor have any colleagues mentioned it annoying them.

It also appears the campaign has been successful as texts to 61016 have increased hugely. As someone who spends a lot of time on and around the railway I think that’s a good thing and I’m glad to see the campaign being refreshed.

Agreed. I know people with no railway interest who find it annoying enough that they can repeat it out of hand, which can only be a good thing as it means they know what to do, despite not really knowing their EMUs from their PISes.

 

[Snow1964]

Been relaunched

• ‘See it. Say it. Sorted’ rail security campaign given its first major refresh since it was launched almost a decade ago
• bold new design makes the British Transport Police’s 61016 number more prominent, helping the public easily identify and report suspicious activity
• £17 million investment to better connect CCTV at train stations, enabling greater real-time access for police to accelerate investigations and help passengers feel safer

New look, same message: ‘See it. Say it. Sorted’

New design makes the British Transport Police’s 61016 number clearer plus additional funding for CCTV at railway stations.

www.gov.uk

 

[physics34]

Id rather it not be an earworm at all

 

[TUC]

Been relaunched

New look, same message: ‘See it. Say it. Sorted’

New design makes the British Transport Police’s 61016 number clearer plus additional funding for CCTV at railway stations.

www.gov.uk

Relaunching the repetitive and redundant does not make it any less repetitive and redundant

 

[DarloRich]

I can guarantee that every passenger hates them.

you cant - they don't bother me. What you mean is you don't like them and neither do many enthusiasts who post here. That is ok but don't project.

It also appears the campaign has been successful as texts to 61016 have increased hugely. As someone who spends a lot of time on and around the railway I think that’s a good thing and I’m glad to see the campaign being refreshed.

Agreed. it is good to see and if it offers reassurance to passengers then all the better.

 

[Bletchleyite]

you cant - they don't bother me. What you mean is you don't like them and neither do many enthusiasts who post here. That is ok but don't project.

I just hear "s***, shower, shave" every time I hear it, gives me a bit of an immature giggle

It has worked though - who doesn't know 61016?

 

[KNN]

you cant - they don't bother me. What you mean is you don't like them and neither do many enthusiasts who post here. That is ok but don't project.

It's not even in the top ten most annoying things about rail travel in the UK

 

[GoneSouth]

Mainland Europe has its fair share of crime on their railways. I wouldn't hold up something like the Paris or Rome metros as bastions of passengers safety for example.

Plenty of passengers don't (or can't) read posters, just as many don't (or can't) listen to announcements. A successful publicity campaign (which the 61016 campaign clearly is given how many texts they receive) requires more than one medium.

Well you can't, because I don't hate them.

Can’t say they’ve reached ridiculously annoying levels for me either. I do use headphones though to shut out the general “ambiance” of a rammed Voyager

You mention the number of texts they receive, is there publicly available data to demonstrate this. I think a breakdown of what and where they were texting about would be interesting. Thanks

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Sep 2025 ==

I just hear "s***, shower, shave" every time I hear it, gives me a bit of an immature giggle

It has worked though - who doesn't know 61016?

And a reminder in case you’ve forgotten to do any of those things before leaving the house

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Sep 2025 ==

It's not even in the top ten most annoying things about rail travel in the UK

Good topic for a new thread, your top 10 is? (Maybe not here though)

 

[CaptainHaddock]

Relaunching the repetitive and redundant does not make it any less repetitive and redundant

Relaunched? It should have been withdrawn altogether. No one takes any notice any more and nor should they.

 

[Pyewipecarshed]

Relaunching the repetitive and redundant does not make it any less repetitive and redundant

Relaunched? It should have been withdrawn altogether. No one takes any notice any more and nor should they.

I think we have established up thread that this number does get used and therefore, although it might be repetitive, it is certainly not redundant.
As someone who works in the industry I can confirm that both passengers and staff use 61016 on a frequent basis. In fact its use appears to be growing rather than dropping away.

If you choose to ignore it then so be it, that's entirely your choice to make.
But the fact that you don't use it doesn't mean that nobody does.

And again I'm sure all this has been stated earlier in the thread!

 

[Horizon22]

Relaunching the repetitive and redundant does not make it any less repetitive and redundant

Repetitive helps remind people of its availability and it is in active use so it’s certainly not redundant.

This is another one of those (large) disconnects between the population of the forum users and rail passengers generally.

 

[GoneSouth]

Repetitive helps remind people of its availability and it is in active use so it’s certainly not redundant.

This is another one of those (large) disconnects between the population of the forum users and rail passengers generally.

I agree. Until its launch I would not have had any idea how to communicate a problem if there were no staff available at the station. Police aren’t always the correct option.

 

[KNN]

Good topic for a new thread, your top 10 is? (Maybe not here though)

Haha there is enough pedantry and negativity on this forum as it is. They are nearly all to do with selfishness so you can probably guess most of the list.

The strength of feeling about this is baffling to me.

 

[hatifhafi3]

I was on a northern train to find out the announcing voice was slightly altered on a 195. Ok.
Then it said welcome aboard this northern train to not service to?
??
And to top it off,
on that same train AND a TPE 185 - it said "See it, say it, and we'll sort it."
What has happened to the original?
And is it now like this on all operators?

Yeah, you’re not the only one who’s noticed! Northern’s been updating the onboard announcements on the 195s and a few other units — some of the phrases have been re-recorded or tweaked, which is why the voice sounds slightly different and why you’re hearing odd glitches like “to not service to.” The “See it, say it, and we’ll sort it” line is a newer safety slogan they’ve rolled out across several operators, so you’ll hear it on TPE too. Sounds like they’re still ironing out the software/recording changes, so you might catch a few more quirks for now.

 

[BorderCollie]

I loathe it and still can’t remember the number.

I only recently learnt that it is easy to remember as a variation of the normal police '101' number with 6s either side - 61016. Would maybe help if announcements were in the rythym 6 101 6.

 

[bramling]

You can’t, though. There aren’t significant passenger complaints about it either, to my knowledge, which suggests it isn’t an issue for most. As a member of staff who hears the announcement far more than most passengers I can’t say it bothers me, nor have any colleagues mentioned it annoying them.

It also appears the campaign has been successful as texts to 61016 have increased hugely. As someone who spends a lot of time on and around the railway I think that’s a good thing and I’m glad to see the campaign being refreshed.

I have to say, I utterly loathe it, and I’m pleased that I sometimes have the opportunity to do my bit and be able to actively suppress it by pressing certain buttons.

For starters, it’s an infantile meme that treats the population with little respect. I find if symptomatic of the general feeling of successive governments treating the population with contempt, much has been going on for some years now, not just by party politicians but also elements of the civil service and other institutions as well.

Secondly, my practical experience of the BTP’s effectiveness is not good. So for a lot of the time, “see it, say it, not get it sorted” is probably more realistic.

But perhaps most of all, it’s now 20 years since 7/7, and longer than that since the current form of terrorist threat entered into mainstream life. Most of the time, when attacks happen, there turns out to have been a long history of failings by the security services or other institutions. I find having this now constant reminder over the PA is normalising, effectively accepting, something that we really *shouldn’t* be regarding as a normal, part and parcel part of everyday life.

Then there’s the matter of what’s unusual? Am I going to have people texting the BTP if I get on a train wearing a weighted vest prior to going rucking? Or how about if I’m taking photos of the railway? Both fully legitimate activities, where in a functioning society there is a reasonable expectation to be left to freely crack on.

I’m afraid I look back with affection to the first half of my life where we didn’t have to suffer this nonsense.

 

[CaptainHaddock]

I think we have established up thread that this number does get used and therefore, although it might be repetitive, it is certainly not redundant.
As someone who works in the industry I can confirm that both passengers and staff use 61016 on a frequent basis. In fact its use appears to be growing rather than dropping away.

Which kind of proves my point. Those people who do use 61016 already know the number. Those who don't don't need to be reminded because they'll never use it. So whilst I concede the number 61016 may not necessarily be redundant, the announcements constantly telling you what it is are!

 

[Pyewipecarshed]

I only recently learnt that it is easy to remember as a variation of the normal police '101' number with 6s either side - 61016. Would maybe help if announcements were in the rythym 6 101 6.

I haven't heard the refreshed version yet, but I'm led to believe it has been re-recorded as 6-101-6 as you suggest.

Which kind of proves my point. Those people who do use 61016 already know the number. Those who don't don't need to be reminded because they'll never use it. So whilst I concede the number 61016 may not necessarily be redundant, the announcements constantly telling you what it is are!

But what we don't know is how many people who use it do so because they already have the number in their head, and how many have just heard it announced and decide to use it as a result.
If someone could work that out perhaps a balance could be struck?!

 

[Allwinter_Kit]

I got a train from Leeds to York last week.

Auto: "This train will shortly be arriving at York, where this service terminates. When leaving the train please look around to make sure you take all of your belongings with you. If you've booked assistance, our team is already on their way."

Guard: [breathily mumbles the same but with somehow less charisma and clarity]

Auto: "This is York, where this service terminates...[repeat the rest]"

Absolutely pointless. A wall of constant noise. 5 minutes of saying the same thing thrice. Once would have done. "This is York; all change please." 5 seconds(?) instead of ~5 minutes.

Telling people who have booked a service it's "already on the way" (they have no way of knowing this) is incorrect, you might as well say "if you fancy a sandwich the Upper Crust will have it in stock." Silence it. How is that useful?

I find that level of interminable drivel far more irritating than every 10 minutes a relatively short announcement telling me the number to text (and a catchphrase to remember said announcement) if I see someone nicking a bag or doing something worse. At least that announcement is transmitting useful information - as shown by the increase in texts to said number.

That said I would be quite happy for it to be a poster-based campaign rather than announced so damn often. Would just need to explore a range of ways of getting that information to the illiterate and the visually impaired - which may just be less frequent announcements? Still be an improvement!

 

[Bikeman78]

I have to say, I utterly loathe it, and I’m pleased that I sometimes have the opportunity to do my bit and be able to actively suppress it by pressing certain buttons.

For starters, it’s an infantile meme that treats the population with little respect. I find if symptomatic of the general feeling of successive governments treating the population with contempt, much has been going on for some years now, not just by party politicians but also elements of the civil service and other institutions as well.

Secondly, my practical experience of the BTP’s effectiveness is not good. So for a lot of the time, “see it, say it, not get it sorted” is probably more realistic.

But perhaps most of all, it’s now 20 years since 7/7, and longer than that since the current form of terrorist threat entered into mainstream life. Most of the time, when attacks happen, there turns out to have been a long history of failings by the security services or other institutions. I find having this now constant reminder over the PA is normalising, effectively accepting, something that we really *shouldn’t* be regarding as a normal, part and parcel part of everyday life.

Then there’s the matter of what’s unusual? Am I going to have people texting the BTP if I get on a train wearing a weighted vest prior to going rucking? Or how about if I’m taking photos of the railway? Both fully legitimate activities, where in a functioning society there is a reasonable expectation to be left to freely crack on.

I’m afraid I look back with affection to the first half of my life where we didn’t have to suffer this nonsense.

Agreed on all counts. I thought the idea with terrorists is that you ignore them and just get on with life. Otherwise they have won. Why does the government insist on singling out railways? I see a lot more antisocial or lawless behaviour when cycling or travelling by bus. For the former, people might point to operation snap but that has become a waste of time.

 

[minimann]

Unfortunately, until they remove the charge for sending a text message to them (which they are not brilliant at responding to) it will never be as effective as it could, and should, be.

 

[talldave]

On Thameslink trains, people have tuned out announcements so effectively that the ones in the core stations stating ‘the doors will open automatically at the next station’ don’t seem to sink in. People still jab at the door button…

That's because it should say "this station". Nobody cares about the next station. It plays out as you're rolling along the platform.

 

[Watershed]

Unfortunately, until they remove the charge for sending a text message to them (which they are not brilliant at responding to) it will never be as effective as it could, and should, be.

It's been free for a couple of years.

My experience is that it's too slow though - I've reported beggars etc. a couple of times, and generally only get a response after I'm already off the train.

 

[jon0844]

Telling people who have booked a service it's "already on the way" (they have no way of knowing this) is incorrect, you might as well say "if you fancy a sandwich the Upper Crust will have it in stock." Silence it. How is that useful?

The passenger assist app allows staff to allocate a job to themselves, so if it's on there and someone has confirmed they're doing that assist then I am sure the train manager can also check and be confident in saying so?

It seems like a positive step to give someone reassurance. A lot of passengers can be nervous/anxious and this is the sort of thing that technology can be used for.