We are calling on British Transport Police to issue a public apology regarding elements of the long-running “See It Say It Sorted” campaign across UK rail and Underground networks. And  for them to 'put it right'.

For more than a decade, this campaign has encouraged members of the public to report anything that “doesn’t look right”.

While public safety is vital, such vague messaging — coupled with imagery of people of different ethnic backgrounds, genders, and ages treating one another with suspicion — risks promoting judgement based on subjective perception rather than behaviour. 

This can unintentionally contribute to racial profiling, discrimination, and undue mistrust between members of our communities.

Public authorities have a legal and moral responsibility to foster trust and social cohesion, not fear. We believe that this duty of care toward our communities has not been adequately met by this campaign.

We are particularly concerned about the campaign’s potential impact on the mental health of children and young people across the UK. Many have grown up hearing repeated public announcements implying that something around them may not be “right”.

For a child commuting daily, this message may have been encountered for extended periods over many years. It is difficult to believe this would have no impact on their sense of safety, wellbeing, or trust in others.

We fully acknowledge the vitally important work of British Transport Police, and the victims of the 7/7 attack on London.  Not to mention the vital importance of public safety messaging. 

However this campaign fails our communities, and we call for existing campaign imagery and language to be replaced with something better.

This includes more recent, 2025 rebranded posters such as one depicting a woman hiding from a police officer accompanied by the slogan “Are they hiding from the authorities?”, which is deeply insensitive to women who may already feel unsafe in the context of the murder of Sarah Everard by a serving police officer.

Whilst most police officers are safe and well-intentioned, such imagery demonstrates a lack of consideration of the wider context of violence against women in the UK.

A more constructive campaign might encourage people to report situations where someone is clearly in danger, behaving dangerously, is distressed, or being harmed, without undermining community trust and unity. 

We are therefore calling for BTP to:

• Make a public apology to all UK citizens acknowledging concerns about the campaign’s impact, showing a strong commitment to put it right.

 

• Investment in a new more culturally sensitive campaign focused on community care, inclusion, unity, and and proportionate responsibility — emphasising that while vigilance is sometimes necessary, most people are well-meaning and communities are strongest when trust is maintained. 

 

• Make a meaningful donation to Children and Young People’s mental health charities as a gesture of social responsibility. 

Better still, why not run a campaign and competition where children and young people and UK citizens at large are invited to co-create artwork and messaging that reflects the kind of transport networks and society we want to build together? Why not integrate inclusion into the campaign?

Safety messaging should empower communities — not encourage suspicion between them.

We believe the UK deserves public safety campaigns that promote trust, compassion, and responsibility.

Sign this petition to call for change.