Project aimed at deterring criminality launched in Greater Manchester

Mark Dexter, Chief Inspector, Greater Manchester Police, with Special Constables Paul Edwards, Jan Guzej and Lee Tatton

Greater Manchester Police is adopting a nationwide project aimed at deterring criminality, starting this week.

Project Servator has been used across the country for the past few years and sees organisations working together to deter, detect and disrupt criminal activity of any kind.

Using a range of tactics GMP is now working with partners as part of Project Servator to target offenders of all levels – from petty criminals to terrorists - with highly visible, unpredictable patrols and community engagement at the top of the agenda.

Superintendent Mark Dexter, from GMP’s Specialist Operations team, said: “Project Servator is very much business as usual for the Force but we do need the public’s and local businesses support. Firstly, we need people not to worry when they see extra officers out and about or more checks happening, and secondly we need people to be our eyes and ears.

“This is all about working together to send a clear message to potential criminals – we are here, we’re watching and we will stop you. If you’ve any concerns please call us on 101 or 999 in an emergency. Alternatively you can report anything suspicious to the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.”

The tactics are designed to deter and identify potential criminals and will include high visibility uniformed officers, search dogs, metal detection arches and barriers, police vehicles and legal searches, all backed up by specially trained plain clothes officers, CCTV and less visible security measures.

Officers will also be handing out information about the operation wherever they go to raise awareness and encourage people to remain vigilant and report anything that are suspicious. GMP is also encouraging everyone to follow national ACT (Action Counters Terrorism) guidance. More information on what to look out for and how to contact police can be found at www.gov.uk/ACT.

GMP follows the City of London Police, British Transport Police and Police Scotland who have been running the operation for the past few years. The operations can now happen anywhere across Greater Manchester at any time, and will be followed up by messages telling people where deployments have taken place that day.

GMP is also working closely with British Transport Police to have a presence in railway stations across the city region.