Project Servator is the name given to unpredictable, highly visible armed and plain clothes/undercover police deployments carried out by Avon and Somerset Police and other police forces designed to disrupt a wide range of criminal activity across the UK.
The tactics aim to identify and disrupt hostile reconnaissance – the information gathering a criminal does when planning to commit a criminal act, including terrorist attacks.
Avon and Somerset Police officers are experienced and specially trained to spot the tell-tale signs that someone may be carrying out hostile reconnaissance or preparing to commit a crime. They work closely with security staff at Bristol Airport to look out for those signs and take action.
What you will see
Specially trained uniformed police officers will turn up unannounced at various locations to carry out deployments. These will be unpredictable, so they could happen at any time and last for different amounts of time.
The officers will be supported by other assets and security measures – some you’ll be able to see and some you won’t – such as plain clothed officers, police dogs, armed officers and the airport’s CCTV operators. Vehicle checkpoints are also often carried out on roads leading to the airport while Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) is also used.
As part of the deployments, officers will hand out leaflets explaining what Project Servator is, while you may also see the initiative highlighted on the airport’s digital screens.
Project Servator on social media
Avon and Somerset police officers also engage with the online community, sharing information about Project Servator and its successes. On Twitter, follow #ProjectServator.
Should I be concerned if I see a Project Servator deployment happening?
No – the police are there to keep you safe. The police encourage the public to speak to officers during deployments and they’ll be happy to explain what they’re doing and answer any questions you have.
Working together
The police work closely with Bristol Airport, its security team and other businesses and retailers based on site. The police rely on their support and vigilance to ensure their tactics in the fight against crime are successful.
The police have a training initiative for security and retail staff to help protect the public by ensuring they know how to spot suspicious activity, and how to report it.
How you can help
You can play a vital role by being vigilant when you are out and about and reporting anything that doesn’t feel right. You’ll never get in trouble for reporting a genuine concern, and the police will always take your report seriously – whether it’s an unattended item or someone acting suspiciously.
Don’t leave it to someone else to report it.
- Tell a police officer or member of security or airport staff
Fill in an online form
- Call the confidential Anti Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321
- In an emergency, always call 999
- The police also ask you to remain vigilant when you're out and about and to follow national ACT (Action Counters Terrorism) guidance.
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