A TRAIN which calls at Redditch station has had a makeover in a bid to encourage even more people to contact British Transport Police (BTP) as officers celebrate the third anniversary of their 61016 text number.
Since its launch BTP have received more than 32,500 messages from UK rail users who have discreetly reported non-emergency incidents on the railway.
The service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and officers have responded to almost 5,000 incidents and recorded just over 2,300 crimes – all as a result of a simple text message.
As the 61016 number turns three, London Midland have created the SMS Express – a train wrapped in the BTP text number which runs on the service’s Cross City line between Lichfield and Redditch via Birmingham New Street, carrying more than one million passengers a month.
BTP’s Deputy Chief Constable, Adrian Hanstock, said: “We recognise the way people want to communicate with us is changing and no other force in the country takes reports by text message to the extent we do.
“We are proud to offer this service and while we have seen the numbers using it grow steadily each year, we are keen to encourage even more people to text us.”
