Suffolk’s PCC welcomes introduction of new policing tactic: Project Servator

Suffolk’s PCC this week welcomed the introduction of Project Servator – a policing tactic used to disrupt a range of criminality, including terrorism..
The approach, which sees police, businesses, community partners and the public working together, is already in use in various parts of the UK, including across the whole of London after it was pioneered by the City of London Police in 2014.
Project Servator sees the deployment of both highly visible and plain clothed police officers, supported by other resources such as dogs and firearms officers. The deployments can happen anywhere and at any time and include police officers specially-trained to spot the tell-tale signs that individuals may be planning or preparing to commit a crime. The officers involved have to demonstrate a nationally-recognised level of competency before they can become operational.
The tactics have been developed and tested by security experts at the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI) in partnership with the City of London Police.
The deployments are designed to make the environment as uncomfortable as possible for criminals to plan or carry out their activities.
The deployments, to be led by the three Kestrel teams are designed to make the environment as uncomfortable as possible for criminals to plan or carry out their activities and increase their fear of detection.
The ‘Kestrel’ or Neighbourhood Crime Proactive teams play an important role in supporting the force’s capability to deploy into particular areas to target crime and engage with communities, supporting local policing priorities.
Inspector Matt Breeze said: “We are really pleased to be launching Project Servator in Suffolk. This is a fantastic opportunity for us to talk to local businesses and staff about the importance of being vigilant at all times, and to work with them to keep everyone safe and add another layer of security to our existing policing methods. It’s important to say we are not doing this in response to any particular threat.
“A big part of Project Servator focuses on the engagement between officers and members of the public who will work together to act as an extra set of eyes and ears and report any suspicious activity.”
Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore said: “I really welcome the force’s adoption of Project Servator as an addition to their operational policing tactics. Originally used as a counter-terrorism tactic, this proactive. partnership approach has been widened to support the fight against all criminal activity. I am sure it will work extremely successfully in Suffolk as it will greatly assist with improving public engagement and confidence.
“This clearly demonstrates the Constabulary is always looking to use new techniques to prevent and deter crime, keep homes and businesses safe and bring criminals to justice – something we all support across Suffolk.”
Sophie Alexander-Parker Chief Executive of Ipswich Central said: “It’s great to be collaborating in partnership with the police in terms of providing a presence on the streets to make sure we are keeping people safe and tackling criminality. We are all behind this and we are looking forward to our street rangers being involved as and when they need to be.”
You have a vital role to play in helping the police by reporting anything that doesn’t feel right, for example an unattended item or someone acting suspiciously. Report suspicious activity immediately to a police officer or member of staff or call police on 101. Suspicious activity is anything that seems out place, unusual or doesn’t seem to fit in with day-to-day life. If it’s an emergency, for example if you find a suspicious package, always call 999.
During a one hour patrol of Ipswich this morning (9 June) officers recorded three incidents of possession of suspected drugs, they collected 12 pieces of intelligence and located one missing person.
For updates on Project Servator search for #ProjectServator on Suffolk Police’s local district Twitter accounts. Future Project Servator updates will also be located on this page.