Current timestamp: 18/07/2025 08:51:11
AgeAlertAnonymousAppealsApplicationsApply Or RegisterArea OutlineArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow UpAutomatic DoorsBack ArrowBusinessCalendarCashArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow Down[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-chrome' for 'English (United Kingdom)']ClockCloseContactDirectionsDocumentDownloadDrawDrugExpandExternal LinkFacebookFb CommentFb LikeFiletype DefaultFiletype DocFiletype PdfFiletype PptFiletype XlsFinance[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-firefox' for 'English (United Kingdom)']First AidFlickrFraudGive FeedbackGlobeGuide DogHealthHearing ImpairedInduction LoopInfoInstagramIntercom[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-internet-explorer' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LaptopLiftLinkedinLocal Activity[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-location' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LoudspeakerLow CounterMailMapMap PinMembershipMenuMenu 2[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-microsoft-edge' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Missing PeopleMobility ImpairmentNationalityNorth PointerOne Mile RadiusOverviewPagesPaper PlaneParkingPdfPhonePinterestPlayPushchairRefreshReportRequestRestart[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-rotate-clockwise' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Rss[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-safari' for 'English (United Kingdom)']SearchShareSign LanguageSnapchatStart AgainStatsStats And Prevention AdviceStopSubscribeTargetTattosTell Us AboutTickTumblrTwenty Four HoursTwitter LikeTwitter ReplyTwitter RetweetUploadVisually ImpairedWhatsappWheelchairWheelchair AssistedWheelchair ParkingWheelchair RampWheelchair WcYoutubeZoom InZoom Out

Leave this site

Cookies

We use some essential cookies to make our website work. We’d like to set additional cookies so we can remember your preferences and understand how you use our site.

You can manage your preferences and cookie settings at any time by clicking on “Customise Cookies” below. For more information on how we use cookies, please see our Cookies notice.

Accept cookies Reject cookies Customise cookies

Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.

Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.

Sorry, there was a technical problem. Please try again.

Skip to main content

Skip to main navigation

Welcome

This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.

Show me the site

Merseyside Police crest

  • Back to Report

    • Crime
    • Domestic abuse
    • Rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences
    • Road traffic incident
    • Report antisocial behaviour
    • Missing person
    • Fraud, bribery or corruption
    • Spiking
    • Stalking or harassment
    • Lost or found property
    • Lost or stolen vehicles
    • Hate crime
  • Back to Tell us about

    • Tell us about possible terrorist activity
    • How to tell us about something you've seen or heard
    • An existing case or report
    • A procession or event you are planning
    • Filming
  • Back to Apply or register

    • Careers and volunteering
    • Charity collection licences
    • Compensation for victims of crime
    • Firearm, shotgun or explosives certificate
    • Attend a misconduct hearing
  • Back to Request

    • A collision report
    • Intellectual property (IP) licence
    • Compensation for something the police have done
    • Your fingerprints
    • Information: about the police, about yourself or someone else
    • Request an update
  • Back to Thanks and complaints

    • Feedback about the website
    • Complaints
    • Say thanks
  • Your area
  1. ...
  2. News

Merseyside Police marks four years of Project Servator

Main article content

News
Published: 08:11 13/07/2022

Project-Servator_Merseyside-4yrs-thumb.jpg

This Sunday, 17 July 2022, marks fours year since Merseyside Police launched Project Servator at Royal Albert Dock in Liverpool. The policing tactic aims to disrupt a range of criminal activity, including terrorism, while providing a reassuring presence for the public.

These 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.

Project-Servator_Merseyside-4yrs-b.jpg

Servator is a Latin word that means ‘watcher’ or ‘observer’, and the deployments use specially trained uniform and plain clothes officers to spot the tell-tale signs that someone may be carrying out hostile reconnaissance – information gathering that may help them plan or prepare to commit a crime. These officers will also encourage the public, including people working in local businesses, to be extra eyes and ears, and report suspicious activity. The aim is to build a network of vigilance made up of business and community partners and the general public.

Project Servator was first developed and introduced by the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI) and City of London Police in 2014 and is now used by a growing number of police forces. In the last four years, Project Servator officers in Merseyside have dealt with a range of criminality, including the carrying of weapons and drugs, persons wanted on warrant and public order offences.

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.”

Iain Finlayson, Estate Director at Liverpool ONE said: “We are committed to partnering with Merseyside Police on Project Servator, and undertaking SCaN training, which together, are invaluable in providing reassurance and helping keep staff and visitors to Liverpool ONE safe.”

Project-Servator_Merseyside-4yrs-c.jpg

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.

“Everybody has an important role to play by reporting any suspicious behaviour that they see or hear, or anything that just does not feel right. However insignificant you think something may be, trust your instincts and report it because your actions could potentially save lives.”

Report suspicious activity immediately to a member of staff or a police officer. Or 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.

Share

Footer navigation

Merseyside Police

  • About us
  • Join us
  • Contact us
  • News
  • Campaigns
  • Privacy notice
  • Cookies
  • Terms and conditions
  • Accessibility

Information and services

  • Advice and information
  • Crime prevention
  • Stats and data
  • Accessing information (FOI)
  • Report
  • Tell us about
  • Apply or register
  • Request
  • Feedback

Partners

  • Partner services
  • Police.uk
  • Ask the police
  • Police & Crime Commissioner

Follow us on

© Copyright 2025. All rights reserved.