Unmarked Officers, Drones and Dogs: Police Target Suspicious Behaviour in Cornwall Towns

A team of specially trained police officers has been patrolling the streets of Newquay and St Austell as part of a national tactic aimed at stopping crime before it happens.

In the lead-up to Cornwall’s busy summer season, Devon and Cornwall Police have been carrying out Project Servator deployments in key locations. The tactic, already used across the UK, sees officers trained to spot the signs of someone preparing to commit a crime, including terrorism.

What is Project Servator?

Project Servator uses both plain-clothes and high-visibility police patrols, along with police dogs and high-tech drones, to catch criminals off guard. The operations are deliberately unpredictable, with no set time or location, to keep offenders on the back foot.

PC Archie Smyth, who supported 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.”

Results and Community Role

Past deployments in Devon and Cornwall have already led to stop searches and arrests for offences including drug supply, possession of weapons, shoplifting and terrorism.

Officers also work with businesses, organisations and local residents to gather intelligence and encourage the reporting of anything suspicious.

PC Smyth added:
“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.”

How to Report

If you see something suspicious, tell a nearby officer or report it online. In an emergency, always call 999. You can also contact police via their website, call 101 for non-emergencies, or pass information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or through their website.

More information about Project Servator is available at:
https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/projectservator