Guidance

Ministry of Defence Police: Project Servator

The MDP uses Project Servator to disrupt criminal activity while providing a reassuring presence for the defence community and the public.

From:
Ministry of Defence
Published
27 March 2018
Last updated
28 October 2024 — See all updates

MDP Project Servator van. Crown Copyright.

About Project Servator

Project Servator aims to disrupt a range of criminal activity, including terrorism, while providing a reassuring presence for the public. Our officers are experienced and trained to spot the tell-tale signs that someone may be planning or preparing to commit a crime.

What you can expect to see

Project Servator deployments can happen at any time, anywhere. Our officers will arrive unannounced at various locations in and around defence sites.

Project Servator officers are specially trained to spot signs of hostile reconnaissance: information gathering that can help someone plan or prepare to commit a crime.

Our deployments are unpredictable with highly visible uniformed officers working alongside plain clothes officers. You may also see armed police officers, police dogs, and marine police units. We use targeted approaches and technology such as vehicle checkpoints, CCTV and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR).

We regularly collaborate with a number of police forces across the UK to deliver the most effective deterrent, as well as partners, security teams, businesses, the public, staff and visitors, to continue making it difficult for criminals and terrorists to operate.

Our Project Servator deployments are nothing to be concerned about. It is specialist police activity designed to create a network of vigilance and disrupt those intent on committing crime.

MDP Project Servator Handbill. Crown Copyright.

What we need you to do

If you see something suspicious or if something just doesn’t seem right, report it to an MDP Police Officer or member of security immediately.

To report suspicious activity to the MDP, call 0300 1232 101. In an emergency always call 999.

You can play a vital role in helping keep defence safe and protecting our surrounding communities by reporting suspicious activity.

We encourage the public to remain vigilant and trust their instincts. You will never get in trouble for reporting a genuine concern and we will always take your report seriously.

Working with the community is a vital part of making Project Servator a success, and protecting defence sites, people, assets and everyone in the surrounding communities. If you have any questions, please feel free to approach our officers.

We believe that together, we’ve got it covered.

You’ll find more information on what to look out for and how to report it on the ACT Website.

MDP Project Servator officers on deployment talking to a local business owner. Crown Copyright.

Social media

Follow #ProjectServator and the MDP on:

Understanding Project Servator

This animated video explains the policing tactic, and the vital role the public can play in supporting as our extra eyes and ears.

Updates to this page

Published 27 March 2018
Last updated 28 October 2024 + show all updates

  1. Added Instagram and Linkedin links.

  2. Updated page content.

  3. Updated emergency phone number.

  4. Updated guidance about Project Servator and how you can help.

  5. Updated sections on 'About Project Servator' and 'What we do'

  6. Updated guidance about Project Servator and how you can help.

  7. Added the Talk through magazine to the 'in the news' section.

  8. Added two new updates to the 'In the news' section of the page.

  9. First published.

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