Encouraging people living in, working in or visiting Putney to be vigilant


#ProjectServator team at East Putney Station

A team of specialist police officers (#ProjectServator) was deployed at East Putney Station this Monday (18 September) to disrupt potential terrorist activity and crime in Wandsworth.

Project Servator, was launched in November 2016 as a deterrent rather than in response to a specific threat. It's aim is to disrupt those planning to carry out crimes from shoplifting to terrorist attack planning. However, following the bomb on the District Line train last week there has been a government promise for an enhanced police presence in areas across London.

There were also teams deployed yesterday at Vauxhall Tube station, Clapham Junction train station and at Nine Elms where according to a tweet by @MPSWandsworth one man was arrested at a vehicle check point. Wandsworth police tweeted: 'We are conducting public reassurance patrols to deter wider criminality'.

The approach uses both highly visible and covert police officers in busy areas and is based on extensive research into the psychology of criminals and what undermines their activities. Part of the officers' job will be to encourage people living in, working in or visiting the boroughs to be extra eyes and ears, reporting any suspicious behaviour to help make it even harder for terrorists and other criminals to succeed.

Uniformed police patrols will be joined by plain clothes officers who have been trained to spot tell-tale signs that a person may be carrying out hostile reconnaissance or engaging in other criminal activity.

At the launch in 2016 the Borough commander for Wandsworth, Chief Superintendent Richard Smith, said, "Wandsworth is a vibrant borough with some of the busiest transport hubs in the country and tens of thousands of commuters passing through daily. Defeating terrorism and criminality is a joint effort and that's why I am asking everyone who lives in or visits Wandsworth to get involved in keeping our borough safe. If you see something suspicious, report it. If you see police officers, take a moment to talk with them and find out how you can play you part."

September 20, 2017