Specialist police officers trained to spot suspicious activity visit Cornwall
A specialist team of Devon and Cornwall Police officers has taken to the streets of Newquay and St Austell to spot and disrupt criminal activity before it happens.
Our officers have been carrying out Project Servator deployments in the lead up to the busy summer period, where a number of large-scale events will be taking place in Cornwall.
Project Servator is nationally recognised policing tactic where specialist officers are trained to spot the tell-tale signs of someone who is planning or preparing to commit a crime. They are trained to disrupt a wide range of criminal activity, including terrorism.
During deployments, officers use a range of different tactics, including high-visibility and plain clothes patrols, police dogs and high-tech drones.
PC Archie Smyth, Project Servator officer who supported with the activity in Cornwall, said: “As we approach large-scale events like Boardmasters and Eden Sessions, it’s important for us to carry out preventative work like this. The work we do is effective in disrupting people from committing a crime and deterring those who plan to.
“We want to send a clear message that illegal activity in whatever form, will not be tolerated.
“Our specialist officers will continue to carry out these unpredictable deployments as we head into summer – that means there’s no pattern to where we’ll be, what time of day we’ll be patrolling or what tactics we’ll be using. It’s a great way to make sure our towns remain a hostile place for offenders and a safe place for those who visit, work and live.”
Previous Project Servator deployments in Devon and Cornwall have resulted in stop searches and arrests for a variety of offences including drug supply, possession of weapons, shoplifting and terrorism.
Their work also involves working alongside organisations, businesses and local people to build an intelligence picture of illegal activity by encouraging reporting of suspicious behaviour.
PC Smyth said: “Our communities have an important role to play in helping to keep our streets safe. Please report anything that doesn't look or feel right, for example, if you see someone leaving an item unattended or someone acting suspiciously.
“No matter how small you think it might be, your information is vital. We’ll always take your reports seriously.”
If you have any information about illegal activity, please report it to Devon & Cornwall Police. To do this, please visit our website or call 101. In an emergency call 999.
If you see something suspicious, please tell a police officer if they’re nearby. You can also use our online form to tell us about possible terrorist activity. If a crime is taking place, call 999.
Information can also be passed 100% anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555111, or via their website.
More information about Project Servator can be found here: Project Servator | Devon & Cornwall Police.
Published 26 May 2025.
Photo: Specialist Police Officers on Project Servator deployment
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