Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Monday 7th April 2025 at 13:50hrs
Lancashire Constabulary has officially launched “Project Servator,” a proactive policing tactic designed to disrupt a wide spectrum of criminal activity, including terrorism, while simultaneously providing a reassuring presence for the public.
The initiative aims to deter criminals by making it harder for them to plan and execute their operations, fostering a safer environment for those who live, work, and visit the county.
Assistant Chief Constable Karen Edwards emphasized the crucial role of community involvement in the success of Project Servator.
“Working with the community is a vital part of Project Servator, disrupting terrorism and other criminal activity effectively,” she stated. “Launching Project Servator in Lancashire will help us keep those who live, work or visit the area safe.”
The launch follows deployments last week (week commencing March 31st) across various key locations in Lancashire, including Preston Bus Station, Blackpool Comedy Carpet, and The Mall at Blackburn.
During these deployments, specially trained officers actively engaged with local communities and businesses, building a network of vigilance and encouraging the reporting of any suspicious activity.
Project Servator, first developed by the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) and City of London Police in 2014, is now being adopted by an increasing number of police forces across the UK.
ACC Edwards explained the meaning behind the name: “Servator is a Latin word that means ‘watcher’ or ‘observer’, and the deployments use specially trained uniform and plain-clothes officers to spot the tell-tale signs that someone may be conducting hostile reconnaissance – information gathering that may help them plan or prepare to commit a crime.”
These deployments are characterized by their unpredictability and intelligence-led nature, utilizing a range of police resources.
Members of the public can expect to see a variety of assets, including police dogs, the mounted branch, as well as CCTV and automatic number plate recognition technology being deployed in different locations at varying times.
“Our deployments will be unpredictable and intelligence-led,” ACC Edwards added. “By working to identify hostile reconnaissance, Project Servator aims to disrupt that activity and prevent criminals from being able to carry out their plans.
You should expect to see further deployments in the coming weeks and months, as we help to keep our county safe.”
Sergeant Daniel Tulloch from the National Disruptive Effects Unit, which oversees the national development and delivery of Project Servator, expressed his delight at Lancashire Constabulary joining the initiative.
“As we see Project Servator reach its tenth year of deployment, we are delighted to welcome Lancashire Constabulary on board as the latest force to launch the innovative tactic,” he said.
“Already deploying across the UK and in Gibraltar, Project Servator has proven highly effective, resulting in arrests for a wide range of offences including terrorism, as well as removing illegal firearms, knives and drugs from the streets.”
Sgt Tulloch further highlighted the collaborative aspect of the project, stating that “Lancashire’s specially-trained officers, working alongside security partners, businesses and the public, will disrupt criminality while making the county a difficult environment for criminals to operate.”
Both the police and the National Disruptive Effects Unit are emphasizing the vital role the public plays in making Project Servator a success. They are urging everyone to be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour that they see or hear, or anything that simply doesn’t feel right.
“However insignificant you think something may be, trust your instincts and report it because your actions could potentially save lives,” a police spokesperson stated.
Members of the public are advised to report suspicious activity immediately to a member of staff or a police officer.
Alternatively, they can call the police on 101. In an emergency, they should always call 999.
Guidance on how to help, including what suspicious activity to look out for, and confidential reporting is available at http://www.gov.uk/act. Lancashire Police are encouraging residents and visitors to remain alert and play their part in keeping the county safe through Project Servator.
G2K INCIDENT WATCH 