Rail Safety Week 2026
Paddock Wood Pop-up
On Tuesday 16th June we set up a stall at Paddock Wood station as part of Rail Safety Week, offering an opportunity to chat with passengers about how safe they feel when travelling by rail and to raise awareness of the British Transport Police 61016 text messaging service.
Assisted by volunteer Vincent Jasper, we had conversations with 18 passengers about how safe they feel when travelling by rail and the things that make them feel less safe. Few seemed familiar with the 61016 service.
Everyone usually felt safe.
Women reported feeling uncomfortable or unsafe at times.
Exploring further we heard accounts of rowdy children on trains and poor behaviour around stations, drunken revellers swearing loudly, anxietiess about crowded trains, uncertainty around whether to report seemingly suspicious behaviour which may have been innocent, and a case where action taken to report a man exposing himself on a train had led to investigation and arrest.
There was praise for times when staff were seen challenging poor behaviour and the availability of accessible travel assistance when needed on journeys.
We were able to raise awareness of 61016 and reassure people that reporting suspicions is the right thing to do. Reporting enables BTP to consider your concerns in the light of other information they may have received. They can consider what action is appropriate and act accordingly to make the railway safer for everyone.
See it, say it, sorted.
