TO celebrate the third anniversary of the British Transport Police (BTP) 61016 text number, a train stopping at Redditch station has been given a makeover.

The London Midland train, renamed the SMS Express, is wrapped in the text number in a bid to encourage even more rail users contact BTP.

Since its launch 32,500 messages have been received from UK rail users, with officers responding to almost 5,000 incidents and recording more than 2,300 crimes - all as a result of a text message.

The service allows the public to report non-emergency incidents on the railway discreetly, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.Redditch Advertiser:

Tom Joyner from London Midland and Superintendent Allan Gregory, policing commander for BTP in the Midlands. 

The train, which came into service last week, runs on London Midland’s Cross City line between Lichfield and Redditch via Birmingham New Street, carrying more than one million passengers a month.

BTP deputy chief constable Adrian Hanstock said: "We recognise the way people want to communicate with us is changing and no other force in the country takes reports by text message to the extent we do.

"We are proud to offer this service and while we have seen the numbers using it grow steadily each year, we are keen to encourage even more people to text us.

"We hope The SMS Express will raise awareness of our text 61016 service, allowing us to serve the travelling public better by responding to even more people when they need us."

Head of London Midland cross city services David Whitley added: "Everybody has the right to travel safely and securely across our network.

"The 61016 service makes it simple and easy for our passengers to contact the British Transport Police quickly, anonymously and with complete confidence.

There is no doubt that 61016 is making a real difference."