Servator officers preparing for Pride

Specially trained Project Servator officers have been out and about in the Canal Street area in preparation for this year’s Pride events.

Greater Manchester’s Pride event will take place over the August bank holiday weekend and sees a large influx of visitors to the area.

Project Servator uses a range of tactics working with partners to target offenders of all levels, from petty criminals to terrorists. These include highly visible, unpredictable patrols using specialist assets, covert tactics as well as community engagement.

Officers were out in the area talking to members of the public and engaging with local businesses, reminding them to be vigilant and advising how they can report any suspicious or unusual behaviour.

Police dog Holly was also on duty, working hard searching the area and stopping for the occasional fuss off passers-by. 

Sergeant Lee Keefe, GMP’s Project Servator Coordinator, comments that: “These type of deployments will increase towards Pride and will continue thereafter as part of our regular deployments. We'd like to reassure our communities that Project Servator is very much business as usual for the Force but we do need the support of the public and local businesses.

"We want to welcome everyone into our City but also ask people to remain vigilant as well as being our eyes and ears.

“We got a lot of good feedback from the businesses we visited in the area and from members of the public. 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 have any concerns please speak to one of our officers when you see us out on deployment or call us on 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency. Alternatively you can report anything suspicious to the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.” 

Find out how you can play your part at https://www.gmp.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/wsi/watch-schemes-initiatives/ps/project-servator/