How many times do you hear “if you see something not quite right, contact the BTP on the text number, see it, say it, sorted”.
I travel on the railways a lot and I have an eye for detail which does have some advantages, because you get to know what’s right and what is wrong. Plus I interact with the rail staff and occasionally, passengers. When you travel on the same line, day in, day out, thousands of times, you get a feel for things that don’t look right.
Today, I came across that problem. I’m writing this, because I would like to see more diligent passengers and just speak out. I’ve generalised everything, so it doesn’t come across as specific to a situation, its very relevant.
While on my usual train, I came across someone who smelt highly of a foul odour, nothing unusual, leaving London anyway, there is a lot of trouble further down the line, so usually, they get off at an intermediate stop, such a larger town. However, the smell and the dress code draws suspicions. I then watch them go to another coach on the train, to the quieter coaches which I ignore but the guard on the train, I make them aware of the individual so they don’t have any issues with them.
I think nothing more, until later on, when they are still on the train, miles away from London, something not quite right, especially given the apparent age, smell and dress code, hanging around by a doorway in the coach you are in. They look at you with suspicion, but don’t say anything.
Its not until I get off the train, after finishing talking to the guard, I then witness the same person again at the station I’ve got off, observe what they are doing and notice that they push their way through some barriers and walk out, despite being challenged by staff. So say nothing, look and walk away, out of the station.
Now this would have one suggestion to me and it shows, a little observation can get you thinking of something possibly more sinister that needs to be looked into. In this case, the length of journey got me suspicious, along with the age and there has been a lot to do with “county lines”. I can’t prove it, but I suspect it.
So what did I do? Report it as soon as I got home, via email. I would of reported it them at the time, but sometimes, discussing something with someone near to you which is what I did might encourage you to report something that would otherwise go amiss. If it doesn’t turn out to be true, its fine. But think of it this way, if you don’t say anything and your allegations are true, what could happen next?
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