Police want people to 'discreetly' text them about incidents on trains - including 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".

The head of a group which lobbies on behalf of smokers expressed surprise.

"You can only laugh," said Simon Clark - 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.

"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.