Rail passengers asked to text police over smoking on trains

Rail travellers are being asked to text the police if they see passengers smoking on trains.

British Transport Police (BTP) are urging travellers to report "crime or incidents" on trains or at stations by "discreetly" sending them a text message.

An advertising campaign set to launch under the strapline 'let's make a difference' gives examples of the kind of crimes or incidents they might report.

One suggestion is texting to report a passenger smoking.

A spokesman for BTP said: "Smoking is a by-law offence. It may make a passenger feel uncomfortable. It may create a safety issue."

Rail passengers have been asked to report Credit: PA

The director of Forest - a group which lobbies on behalf of smokers - said "you can only laugh at the plan".

He added: "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.

"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?"

The BTP said police might board train and speak to a smoker if alerted.