Seven train passengers caught watching PORN in carriages, police reveal
Police have been called seven times to reports of passengers watching PORN on trains in Birmingham and Solihull.
Across the country the number of train pornography incidents jumped from 17 in 2015 to 26 last year, with arrests trebling from two to six.
British Transport Police was called to Dorridge last year and in 2015 officers responded to complaints at New Street twice and once at University station, on the Cross City Line.
In 2014 officers also responded to two calls at Solihull Station and one at Moor Street, in the city centre.
It’s thought the increasing number of porn calls is a result of passengers noticing people watching explicit material on smartphones, tablets and laptops.
British Transport Police is now encouraging passengers to contact them if they see others watching porn on buses, trains or trams.
The force says there is legislation to prosecute people caught viewing explicit material in public, including railway byelaws for causing harassment, alarm or distress.
The 2014 and 2015 incidents were classed as crimes but the 2016 Dorridge incident was a third party report, according to police.
Across the country officers made six arrests in 2016, up from two the previous year.
Inspector Dave Rams from BTP in Birmingham said: “If you feel uncomfortable or distressed by someone who is looking at pornography on the railway, we want you to report it to us.
“You can use our discreet texting service – the number is 61016 – to report what is happening without those nearby overhearing, if this makes you feel more comfortable.
“Our officers have a range of investigative techniques to identify offenders who commit crimes on the railway network, so just because someone has left the train, this by no means makes them untraceable.
“Remember, you do not have to prove that someone is committing a crime in order to report it – Report it to Stop it.”
* You can text BTP on 61016 to tell the force about non-emergency incidents. In an emergency always dial 999.
Read more: http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/seven-train-passengers-caught-watching-12540759