Why so many police officers are on patrol in Leeds city centre

High visibility patrols are taking place in Leeds city centre today to mark the official launch of a policing tactic designed to disrupt crime and terrorist activity.
Assistant Chief Constable Russ Foster, of West Yorkshire Police.Assistant Chief Constable Russ Foster, of West Yorkshire Police.
Assistant Chief Constable Russ Foster, of West Yorkshire Police.

Trials of "cutting-edge" initiative Project Servator have been taking place at Trinity Leeds since September, with increased numbers of uniform and plain clothes patrolling at unpredictable times.

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West Yorkshire Police says those trials resulted in nine arrests for offences ranging from burglary to drugs as well as the recovery of a number of weapons and drugs including spice.

The force also received numerous pieces of intelligence, including reports which were passed to the counter terror unit.

Now the model is to be rolled out across the entire Leeds district.

Assistant Chief Constable Russ Foster, of West Yorkshire Police, said: “We worked for many months to bring cutting edge Project Servator tactics to West Yorkshire and have been pleased with the impact it has had in Leeds city centre.

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“Residents and businesses have been keen to speak with our officers and we have received numerous pieces of intelligence about criminality which is in the process of being developed into investigations."

Assistant Chief Constable Russ Foster, of West Yorkshire Police.Assistant Chief Constable Russ Foster, of West Yorkshire Police.
Assistant Chief Constable Russ Foster, of West Yorkshire Police.

He said Project Servator was all about making it hard for criminals to operate while, at the same time, reassuring the public.

“From now on our Project Servator officers could deploy anywhere at any time across the Leeds district," he said.

“This is nothing to be alarmed about and we would encourage residents to speak with our teams who will be carrying Project Servator leaflets and signage.

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“Please remember that if you see something suspicious which doesn’t look and feel right, then get in touch. We need you to help us by being our eyes and ears to help prevent crime.”

A police dog and handler patrol Trinity Leeds during the official launch of Project Servator. Pictures: Simon HulmeA police dog and handler patrol Trinity Leeds during the official launch of Project Servator. Pictures: Simon Hulme
A police dog and handler patrol Trinity Leeds during the official launch of Project Servator. Pictures: Simon Hulme

Specially-trained officers in uniform and plain clothes carried out unpredictable and highly visible police patrols during the trial.

They were supported by other police resources, including firearms officers, police dogs and police horses.

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They also spoke with shoppers, retailers and business partners to encourage them to act as the police’s eyes and ears and build a network of vigilance.

Mounted police were also in the city centre today as part of the high visibility patrols.Mounted police were also in the city centre today as part of the high visibility patrols.
Mounted police were also in the city centre today as part of the high visibility patrols.

As part of their work, the officers developed partnerships with Leeds City Council, Safer Leeds and Leeds BID in addition to engaging with a number of major businesses and shopping centres, including the Trinity Centre, Victoria Gate, White Rose.

Safer Leeds chief officer Paul Money said: “The trial by West Yorkshire Police of Project Servator in Leeds city centre has achieved a variety of positive results, and we very much welcome that this initiative will now be available city-wide.

“We want to ensure that people living in all of our communities or visiting Leeds feel safe and secure, and Project Servator provide us as a city with another tool at our disposal to target those individuals and groups involved in various criminality.”

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Project Servator officers are trained to spot the tell-tale signs that a person may be carrying out 'hostile reconnaissance', which is the information gathering an individual carries out when planning to commit a criminal act, including terrorist attacks.

Mark Burns-Williamson, West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, that using evidence-based policing and the latest research was a crucial step towards disrupting criminal activity and counter terrorism in all its forms.

Officers talk to shoppers in Trinity Leeds as Project Servator is rolled out across the district.Officers talk to shoppers in Trinity Leeds as Project Servator is rolled out across the district.
Officers talk to shoppers in Trinity Leeds as Project Servator is rolled out across the district.

“Its purpose absolutely reflects the priorities I have recently outlined in my refreshed Police and Crime Plan, particularly in meeting our strategic policing requirements, as set out in legislation," he said.

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“Likewise, I continue to oversee the response to identifying and preventing major threats to our communities and this project is a key component of the approach in helping to reassure the public of West Yorkshire.”

How you can help Project Servator teams

Project Servator deployments can turn up anywhere at any time and officers rely on retailers and residents to be their eyes and ears.

Report anything that doesn’t look or feel right. This could be an unattended item or someone acting suspiciously. Tell a police officer or a member of staff or call 101. Always call 999 in an emergency

If you think someone’s suspicious behaviour could be linked to terrorism, it’s important to report it. Trust your instincts and ACT by reporting it in confidence at www.gov.uk/ACT or by calling 0800 789 321.

Any piece of information could be important, it is better to be safe and report. You can help the police prevent terrorism and save lives.