Parliament hosts British Transport Police event to promote 61016 text number

Prominent politicians yesterday pledged to spread the word to their constituents about BTP’s unique and discrete text reporting service.

In a first of its kind event, MPs were invited to attend a drop-in session to learn more about the non-emergency text service for reporting crime and incidents on the British railway network.

Many offences that take place on the network can involve victims being in a confined space with the perpetrator, and the 61016 reporting service offers a critical tool should victims need to contact police quickly and discretely.

MP’s were offered a behind the scenes look at the logistics of how the system operates, with call handlers responding in real time to incoming texts.

Now in its 12th year, the 61016 text number has received more than a million reports, with 247,000 of those made in the last year alone.

Assistant Chief Constable Charlie Doyle, who hosted the event, said: “Not many people realise that while our 61016 text-to-report number is widely used on the rail network to report crime or incidents of concern, the number actually comes directly through to our 24-hour contact centre.

“We hope MPs feel empowered to promote 61016 to their constituents - many of whom use the railway on a daily basis– and to remind them that BTP is there to protect everyone who travels on the railway network.

“This was a great opportunity to follow the journey of the text message and to highlight how we respond in real time.”

61016 was the first and only service of its kind in the UK – and since 2013, the million texts that have been sent to BTP have enabled us to catch sex offenders, dismantle drug lines, convict criminals, and make the railway a safer place for everyone.

Text messages go straight through to BTP’s Force Contact Centre, the same as a phone call. Dispatchers are then able to respond to the message, deploying officers or gathering intelligence that will help us direct our patrols and operations to where they are most needed.

A text is now received every 1 minute 12 seconds into the force’s contact centre during daytime hours.

ACC Doyle added: “A massive thanks to everyone who attended the drop-in session, saved the text number into their phone and pledged to spread the word and urge others to do the same.”

NOTES:

The event was sponsored by Alex Mayer (Member of Parliament for Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard, Alex is also a member of the Transport Select Committee).

Attendees included: Matt Turmaine MP, Ian Lavery MP, Esther McVey MP, Sir Roger Gale MP, Sarah Russell MP, Claire Young MP, Stephen Doughty MP, Paul Kohler MP, Ann Davies MP and Peter Swallow MP.

The 61016 text service was launched by BTP in 2013 to give anyone reporting a crime the option to text instead of calling the police in a non-emergency.