Project Servator reassures communities across Greater Manchester

Specialist officers from Greater Manchester Police have been deployed across the districts around schools, transport networks, shopping centres and places of worship as part of Project Servator, a national policing tactic to disrupt criminal activity and provide a reassuring presence for the public.

These deployments have been highly visible with uniformed police officers, armed officers, and vehicle checkpoints, supplemented by plain clothes officers and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR).

Two people were charged as a result of proactive, preventive policing. Amesh Naveed (24) of St. Kilda’s Drive, Salford was charged with possession of a bladed article in a public place and a boy (17) from Crumpsal was charged with possession of a bladed article in a public place.

Sergeant Lee Keefe, GMP’s Project Servator Coordinator, said: “Interaction with the community has been positive throughout these deployments, with officers receiving feedback from members of the public about the increased presence being reassuring and making them feel safe amid ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

“Officers deployed as part of Project Servator are specially trained to spot signs of suspicious behaviour that other people may not notice. Behaviour which could be indicative of planning to commit a crime.”

“Deployments are unpredictable and can happen at any time of the day or night. They involve working with partner agencies, businesses, and members of the public.

“If you see deployments pop up in your area, there is no cause for alarm, officers involved will likely speak to you to let you know what they are doing.”

To report suspicious activity, call the police on 101. Suspicious activity is 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.

Guidance on how to help, including what suspicious activity to look out for, and confidential reporting is available at www.gov.uk/act