UK’s See It Say It Sorted Campaign Gets an Update to Enhance Railway Security for Passengers and Tourists Across the Country, Here’s All You Need to Know

Published on September 16, 2025

The “See it. Say it. Sorted.” campaign has now been integrated as part of Britain’s railway system ever since its introduction almost a decade ago. It has become synonymous as a part of railway safety encouraging travelers to report suspicious actions and security concerns head on. It’s reception and changing security requirements permits the restyling of the slogan for the very first time. Starting today, updated messages and restyled posters on trains and at stations all over the UK will be used to spur travelers to aid the Department for Transport (DfT) in protecting the railway system.

A Decade of “See it. Say it. Sorted.”

Launched in 2016 as part of a counterterrorism effort, “See it. Say it. Sorted.” was designed to be a simple and clear message to encourage passengers to report anything unusual to the British Transport Police (BTP). Over the years, the campaign has achieved success, increasing public awareness of security concerns on the railway network, and allowing passengers to play a crucial role in reporting suspicious behavior.

Despite its effectiveness, there have been growing concerns that the slogan has become so familiar that passengers no longer pay attention to it. Public feedback and increased scrutiny have prompted the DfT to refresh the campaign, incorporating a range of new messages and enhanced communication strategies.

What’s Changing in the Updated Campaign?

The refreshed version of “See it. Say it. Sorted.” aims to renew the focus on safety while addressing passenger concerns about the frequency of the messages and their clarity. Key updates include:

• New Audible Messages: The updated campaign will introduce a variety of new messages across the network. These changes will help prevent the slogan from becoming monotonous or ignored by passengers, who may have grown accustomed to hearing the same announcement repeatedly.
• Emphasis on the Text Service: One of the most notable updates is the increased emphasis on the 61016 number for texting reports directly to the British Transport Police. The text service has been instrumental in providing a discreet and easy way for passengers to report crimes or suspicious activity. The refreshed campaign will highlight this number more prominently on posters and during announcements.
• Clearer Examples: The refreshed campaign includes more specific examples of what passengers should be looking out for, such as unattended bags, unusual behavior, or people entering restricted areas. This provides passengers with more actionable information on what constitutes something “out of place” that should be reported.
• Improved Messaging: The wording of the campaign’s announcements has been simplified and clarified, making it easier for passengers to understand and act upon. The aim is to ensure that all passengers feel empowered to report anything suspicious without confusion or hesitation.

Engaging Passengers and Tourists in Railway Safety

The “See it. Say it. Sorted.” campaign is not just for daily commuters but also plays a vital role in engaging tourists who may be unfamiliar with Britain’s railway network. For tourists traveling across the UK, particularly those using major railway hubs like London’s King’s Cross, Birmingham New Street, or Manchester Piccadilly, the updated messages will serve as a reminder to remain vigilant and proactive in ensuring their safety and the safety of others.

Railways are one of the most common modes of travel for both locals and tourists in the UK, making it crucial that passengers are aware of how to report security concerns. Tourists, often unfamiliar with local security procedures, can be particularly vulnerable, and the “See it. Say it. Sorted.” message helps to bridge this gap, ensuring everyone can participate in maintaining a safe and secure environment on the trains.

For example, tourists arriving at major transport hubs in the UK are frequently faced with large crowds and unfamiliar surroundings. The new campaign updates will help ensure that they know how to report anything suspicious quickly, whether it’s a misplaced suitcase or an unusual interaction.

Addressing the Over-Saturation of Security Announcements

One of the key criticisms of the previous version of the “See it. Say it. Sorted.” campaign was that passengers had grown desensitized to the repeated announcements. Rail journalist Tony Miles from Modern Railways explained that many passengers treated the slogan like the safety announcements made by airline cabin crew—often ignored or tuned out.

He suggested that the over-familiarity with the message had led to passengers deliberately tuning out the security announcements, which reduced their effectiveness. The DfT’s decision to introduce variety in the announcements is a direct response to this concern. The goal is to keep the message fresh and engaging so that it remains an effective tool in preventing and reporting crime.

Improving Safety Measures with Technology

In addition to the campaign’s updated messaging, the UK government is also investing nearly £17 million in technology to enhance safety across the railway network. Network Rail is set to provide British Transport Police with better access to CCTV footage in real-time, which will allow officers to respond more quickly to incidents as they arise. The goal is to make the railways safer for both passengers and staff, particularly in high-traffic areas.

Impact on Passengers and Railway Security

The success of the original “See it. Say it. Sorted.” campaign can be measured in the number of reports it has generated. Since the initiative began, the number of texts sent to the 61016 number has increased eight-fold, with over 255,000 reports in the past year alone. This reflects the growing awareness and participation of passengers in maintaining security on the rail network.

Despite some criticisms of the message’s over-familiarity, the BTP and the DfT believe that the campaign continues to play a vital role in ensuring public safety. BTP Chief Constable Lucy D’Orsi emphasized that while officers are out patrolling the railway network 24/7, passengers and rail staff are equally important in keeping the system safe.

A Step Forward in Railway Security

The revised version of the campaign “See it. Say it. Sort it.” marks another step towards keeping Britain’s railways safe for all users. It addresses the text message service as well as technologies that improve monitoring of the railways in real time. Local people and visitors are encouraged more actively to participate in the campaign’s objectives which will help to ensure continued awareness of the travel and rail movement of people across the UK. Enhanced monitoring of the railways text and security services is stressed as part of the campaign. Frequent rail users and first time visitors to the UK will encounter the same security messages and this will remind them of their shared obligation toward the safe use of the railways.