I actually texted '61016' after being sexually assaulted on a train, here's exactly what happened

Warning: This article contains discussion of sexual harassment and sexual assault which some readers may find distressing.

At 11.00pm on 6 June, Esme Rice was on her way home when two men entered the Elizabeth Line train to Shenfield via Stratford.

"One came to stand incredibly close to me, while the other stood by the doors," Esme exclusively explained to Tyla. "The closest man was playing a violin, trying to get my attention while I actively ignored him and had my headphones in.

"As I went to leave, he stroked my back and touching down to my hip. I stepped out of his way, towards the door, where the second man blocked my way. As I walked past him to get off the train, he put his hand down to grab my a**.

"I did not consent to him touching me, I did not know him, and I had no time to act before the train doors shut on me."

'I felt violated'

After turning around, Esme saw both men smiling at her through the train windows 'in a creepy, horrible way'.

"I felt violated, scared and panicked, since I have struggled with the trains and always feel someone is going to violate me again," she continued.

Esme immediately went to find the police, but none were present at the station, prompting her to text 61016 as soon as two minutes after the attack took place.

The British Transport Police (BTP) explains that the 61016 text service offers the travelling public and rail staff a means to contact them directly and discreetly, in order to report non-emergency crime.

BTP received a report that someone was actively sexually assaulting someone on the train, yet Esme says she wasn't contacted by anyone for another 13 hours.

Esme later shared her experiences on social media, in a series of TikTok posts which have since gone viral, spreading like wildfire across the UK and beyond, with many women rushing to the comments to share similar stories of sexual assault and harassment while using public transport, along with similar disappointment in the BTP's response.

'It is prolific and rampant'

"I have received hundreds of messages and comments from other victims sharing their stories. Some of their reports to 61016 got immediate action, some have not heard back from the British Transport Police at all," she explained.

"Women have told me they’ve also had men masturbate on them, flash them, kiss them, grab them and upskirt them on the London trains. It is prolific and rampant."

When asked what made her decide to share her experience so publicly, Esme told Tyla: "I want people to know what ACTUALLY happens when you text the BTP. We are sold a dream that there is instant safety and support when you reach out, but in reality, it took them 13 hours for an officer to reach out.

"The safety blanket that people think is there is an illusion."

"British Transport Police advertise all over the trains and stations that if something happens on the train, we should text 61016. See it, Say it, Sorted… right?" she added.

As for how the police responded, Esme explained that she only received automated responses at first and was told to wait and expect a call.

"I would have called 999 if it wasn’t for this advice," she said.

13 hours for a response

It took 13 hours for an officer to reach out after Esme sent the text report, where he asked for some more details and arranged a time for her to make a statement.

She continued: "I had posted my first video on social media by this point, which was then picked up by The British Transport Police as the videos drove thousands of views and comments.

"On Monday (8 June), 36 hours later, I received a DM from Lucy D’Orsi, Chief Constable of the BTP. She informed me that the Assistant Chief Constable would be in touch, who called me later that day and shared that an investigation would be held into why it took so long for anyone to get back to my initial report.

"If I had not gone viral, I would not have received any attention from the Chief Constable. I question how much my case would have been investigated."

When approached by Tyla for comment, Nick Sargent, Media Relations Manager at the British Transport Police, issued the following statement: "We received a report of a sexual assault on board a train near Stratford station at 11.13 pm on 6 June.

"Detectives have launched an investigation and are following all lines of enquiry, including a review of all available CCTV footage. No arrests have been made at this stage."

The statement concluded: "Witnesses or anyone with relevant information can contact us by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 860 of 6 June."

Esme shared that, previously, someone masturbated on her on the Jubilee line and, despite taking pictures on the train, shouting at the man in the moment, speaking to police there and then, making a full report, giving them her clothes and there being CCTV of the event happening, the police still couldn't identify him.

She continued: "Many people have shared that they thought texting 61016 would get an immediate response. I think it’s so important that people realise this is not the case; there is no guarantee of support when the crime has occurred."

Esme believes transport operators and police are not doing enough to tackle this issue.

"They bombard us with adverts, creating a facade of safety, but the reality is that there are hardly any officers on trains, at stations or responding to reports," Esme outlined.

"When they do respond, they are so reliant on unclear, unreliable CCTV that is often deleted after 7-28 days, that identifying predators is not possible. I took a photo of my attacker in 2024. They found CCTV of him, but because they couldn’t find him tapping in on a card and facial recognition failed, he could not be identified."

'The onus needs to be on the police to protect us - not on victims to take on their attackers'

Looking forward, Esme wants to see more officers on trains and platforms so they can be physically present to deter this kind of behaviour.

"I want to see men face consequences when they sexually assault women, and be made an example of," she added. "I want it to be very clear what sexual harassment is and why it is not acceptable."

Challenging common misconceptions about sexual harassment, Esme stated: "People think you know what to do right in that moment, to shout, attack them, spray Deep Heat spray in their face or pull a train emergency lever.

"The reality is, it is a shock, and you have a trauma response that you can’t control. These men are going out intentionally to use fear and intimidation against women in small confined spaces; the onus needs to be on the police to protect us - not on victims to take on their attackers and create more risk."

Esme did everything right during the traumatic incident.

She tried to ignore the attackers, got to safety as quickly as she could, reported her attack within two minutes and called out the attackers in the moment, but it seemingly still didn't matter.

'It’s the men who need to change their behaviour'

"I shouldn’t have to live my life with a camera in hand, on edge for if someone is going to grope me. It’s the men who need to change their behaviour," she urged.

"I know it’s still so important to report when it happens, so I will of course continue to report anything to 61016. However, it has shed light on the illusion of safety the British Transport Police has created. The reality of reporting is that very little can currently be done to prosecute or stop men from sexually assaulting us - and that needs to change."

If sharing her story leads to one change, whether in public attitudes, reporting rates, or transport safety, Esme said she'd want it to be men knowing that there are consequences for their actions.

"Touching, groping, upskirting, or kissing without consent is illegal and will not be tolerated," she continued. "I would like men to be scared, to feel an ounce of the fear we feel as victims, and know that if they continue to assault us, action will be taken."

If you’ve experienced sexual or street harassment, you’re not alone — and support is available. You can call Victim Support for free, 24/7 on 08 08 16 89 111, or use their Live Chat service at www.victimsupport.org.uk.