ithout the information that Wterrorists gather during hostile reconnaissance, it is very difficult for a hostile attack to go ahead. Disrupting this activity is therefore a critical part of any counter terror measures .

Project Servator is the police initiative to thwart hostile reconnaissance. Developed jointly by the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI) and , it uses the latest research and understanding of hostile reconnaissance methods Business and Security continue to support plus many years of policing experience in making an area as unattractive as possible for the would-be terrorist Project or criminal.

One of the key contributions to its success has been the Servator involvement of the security industry and the public. This close difficult environment to carry out hostile Superintendent Helen Isaac, Head of the partnership continues with many reconnaissance and crime. National Project Servator Delivery Team, says, opportunities now and in the future for “Matt has brought in a fundamental change everyone to get involved. Project Servator for all UK police forces in CT tactics with his enthusiastic, dedicated and passionate approach.” Since its inception in 2014 in the City of In 2018, the City of London Police has the London, Project Servator has achieved much task of supporting the national Matt says, “I could not have done this alone. success there: officers have carried out nearly implementation of Project Servator. A My background as a CTSA (Counter 1,000 searches with a 64% positive success number of police forces are already involved, Terrorism Security Advisor, my exceptional rate. The highest number of arrests have including , who used Servator CTSA colleagues with their in-depth been for drug dealing and other offences at the Commonwealth Games 2014, and understanding of business requirements, detected include robbery, international arrest , who introduced it on senior management that trust and support warrants, various offensive weapons and the UK’s rail network in December 2015. It is me and the Project Servator teams that make bladed articles, fraud, theft and firearms. also used by a number of other UK police it happen every day have all contributed to forces, including , Essex the success of Project Servator.” Project Servator is made up of a number of Police, Civil Nuclear Constabulary and elements; the most noticeable involves Ministry of Defence Police. And now, due to City of London Police Commissioner Ian unpredictable, highly visible police the success of the trial, the Metropolitan Dyson said, “The effects of his work in deployments. Project Servator teams turn Police has a number of teams operating disrupting the activity of not just terrorists, up unannounced at various locations to carry across London. but also other criminals, have been clear to out deployments. They could happen at any see in the City and have contributed to other time, last for different amounts of time The Project Servator National Delivery Team forces across the UK using similar tactics with and involve varying numbers of officers will be hosted in the City of London and led their own officers to keep the public safe.” and assets. by Superintendent Helen Isaac. They will be responsible for the future development of How can I get involved? Supporting these deployments, the initiative including training delivery, businesses, security guards and retailers governance, quality assurance and Visit your local police force website and look play a vital role communications. The aim is for all forces to out for Project Servator deployments in an deliver Project Servator in the most effective area near you. Speak to the officers and Following a powerful training session, and consistent way. The team’s initial task is security guards involved. They are happy to security staff understand how to spot and to coordinate a handover of governance share information with you. report suspicious activity. Additionally, the from CPNI (who will continue to provide training instils confidence in individuals to Keep reading City Security magazine for research and intelligence support). engage, emphasising how “the power of news of other extensions and updates to hello” can have a massive impact on QPM for Project Servator’s Matt Hone Project Servator planned for later in 2018. disrupting hostile reconnaissance. Project Servator is a result of a unique Andrea Berkoff Project Servator aims to bring people partnership between CPNI and the City of Editor, together to create one community in an London Police, which all began with PC Matt City Security magazine area, with everyone, including police and Hone suggesting the City as a pilot area for security personnel, working as one to target CPNI’s scientific research. His contribution harden their location. This constant drum was recently acknowledged with the award beat of awareness and activity creates a very of the Queen’s Police Medal (QPM). > © CITY SECURITY MAGAZINE – SPRING 2018 www.citysecuritymagazine.com 9