Passengers urged to text police if they see a smoker on a train so they can speak to them
POLICE are suggesting that rail travellers should text an incident alert - if they see a passenger smoking on a train.
One example on advertisements posted on trains is 'passengers smoking'
British Transport Police (BTP) is urging travellers to report "crime or incidents" on trains or at stations "discreetly" by text.
An advertising campaign - which has the strapline "Let's make a difference" - gives examples of the kind of crimes and incidents travellers might report.
One example on advertisements posted on trains is "passenger smoking".
I can't remember the last time I saw someone smoking on a train
The head of lobbying group Forest, which acts on behalf of smokers, expressed surprise.
"You can only laugh," said Simon Clark, the director of Forest. "I'd be interested to know how many texts they get. I can't remember the last time I saw someone smoking on a train.
"I would have thought you might ask the person to stop or point at the many no smoking signs or tell a member of staff. I'm not really sure there's a need to alert the police.
Police might board a train and speak to a smoker if alerted
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"I wonder what the police will do when they get the text from one of this army of citizen spies? Will there be a Swat team at Watford Junction ready to follow a trail of smoke."
A BTP spokesman said: "Smoking is a by-law offence. It may make a passenger feel uncomfortable. It may create a safety issue."
He said police might board a train and speak to a smoker if alerted.