Project Servator marks four year anniversary

This Sunday marks four years since Project Servator, which uses specially trained officers to spot signs that someone may be carrying out hostile reconnaissance, was launched at the Royal Albert Dock in Liverpool.

The policing tactic Servator (latin meaning ‘watcher’ or ‘observer’) aims to disrupt a range of criminal activity. It was first developed and introduced by the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI) and City of London Police and is now used by a growing number of police forces.

Highly visible Project Servator deployments have since been expanded to a range of locations including, National Museums Liverpool, Pier Head, Liverpool Cruise Terminal, Liverpool ONE, M&S Arena and the neighbouring exhibition centre. Deployments can also be seen at regional events such as Aintree Races and city-centre parades.

Chief Inspector Iain Wyke of Protective Security Operations at Merseyside Police said:

“Deployments are planned proactively and are deliberately unpredictable, so you will see officers popping up at various locations, at any time and in any weather. We use a range of police assets, including police dogs, horses, armed officers, and live-monitored CCTV. Sometimes, we will use these assets in conjunction with vehicle checkpoints.

“Along with our deployments, since April 2021, our Counter Terrorism Security Advisors (CTSAs) have helped us deliver specialist See Check and Notify (SCaN) training to 686 staff in local businesses and venues. This reinforces the network of vigilance in Merseyside by helping staff identify suspicious activity and ensuring they know what to do when they encounter it.”

Madeleine Farrell, Head of Security at National Museums Liverpool (NML), said:

“Our partnership with Project Servator has been of great importance to us at National Museums Liverpool. Project Servator makes us part of a wider, connected community and provides reassurance both to our staff and the thousands of visitors who come to our museums and galleries every day. On top of this, a range of staff from across NML have been given the opportunity to take part in SCaN training, which has been an invaluable tool for us. As the project marks its fourth anniversary, we’re pleased to be continuing our partnership which helps to ensure the safety and security of all who use our sites every day.”

Chief Inspector Wyke added:

“Project Servator is an invaluable policing tactic, and my thanks go to our community partners for their support, and to the members of the public who have engaged with our officers during deployments. Their assistance in reporting suspicious activity helps us to keep Merseyside safe for those who live, work, and visit here."