Three police forces across the North West have collaborated on Servator deployments in their region.
On Friday, October 11, specialist Project Servator teams from Merseyside, Cheshire and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) deployed at various locations in the centre of Liverpool, Manchester and Warrington. Pictured courtesy of Merseyside Police are some of the Merseyside and GMP officers in Liverpool.
About Project Servator
Police describe Servator deployments as intentionally unpredictable – in the mix of ‘assets’ used, and the mix of uniformed and plain-clothes officers. The tactic aims to disrupt a range of criminal activity, including terrorism, while providing a reassuring presence for the public. Officers deployed have been trained in how to spot the tell-tale signs that someone may have criminal intent, such as gathering information to help them plan or prepare to commit a crime. Servator has turned ten; Professional Security Magazine over the years has attended it and featured it at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014; around Sellafield nuclear power station, as used by the 100 per cent armed Civil Nuclear Constabulary; an event in central London to mark its use by the capital’s police forces in 2018; and by Essex Police at Lakeside shopping centre.
PC Mike Henry, Force Coordinator for Project Servator at Cheshire Constabulary said: “Some criminals travel between force areas and this operation has been a great opportunity to combine expertise from neighbouring forces and disrupt criminality not only locally but also at a regional level.”
Sergeant Danny Cheevers, Force Coordinator for Project Servator at Merseyside Police said: “Project Servator teams in different forces often work in partnership like this to disrupt criminality. During these deployments, officers will encourage the public, including people working in local businesses, to be extra eyes and ears, and report suspicious activity. The aim is to build a network of vigilance and make it difficult for terrorists considering their targets and other criminals to operate in the region.
“These deployments will continue across the region, and we want to reassure the public that there’s no cause for concern if they encounter one. Feel free to talk to the officers and they will explain what they are doing and how you can help keep people safe.
“Everyone has an important part to play, and what we’re asking is straightforward: remain alert and trust your instincts. If you see something that doesn’t feel right, tell a member of staff or a police officer. Don’t assume someone else will do it. However insignificant you think something may be, trust your instincts and report it because your actions could save lives.”
What to do
To report suspicious activity when a crime is not in progress, call the police on the non-emergency line 101. Suspicious activity is defined by police as anything that seems out of place, unusual or does not seem to fit in with day-to-day life. If it is an emergency, always call 999, police stress. For guidance on how to help, including what suspicious activity to look out for, and how to report in confidence visit www.gov.uk/act.
Servator was developed by what has since become the UK official National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) and the City of London Police.
