New specialised policing to crack down on crime

Specialised police patrols are to be deployed in Surrey for the first time.

Known as Project Servator, highly visible uniformed officers with police dogs, along with harder-to-spot plain clothes operatives, will be popping up at various times around Guildford town centre to deter criminals and reassure the public.

A tactic already adopted by other UK police forces, its has resulted in numerous arrests and helped remove illegal firearms, knives and drugs from the streets.

Ch Supt Graham Barnett said it was "about keeping people safe and ensuring Surrey remains a hostile environment for those looking to commit crime".

The approach relies on "building a network of vigilance made up of businesses, community partners and the public", according to a force spokesperson.

Officers involved in Project Servator are specially trained to spot the tell-tale signs that someone may be scoping out places in order to commit a crime or even plan a terrorist attack.

Ch Supt Graham Barnett added: "Our specially trained officers will be engaging with the public and local businesses, explaining what Project Servator is and encouraging people to report anything that seems unusual or out of place."

Stressing that there is "no intelligence to suggest any increased threat to Guildford or Surrey", he added that their presence was "about keeping people safe, and is no cause for concern".

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