Police patrols to be increased in town over summer

Project Servator involves highly visible policing to deter criminals from towns and cities

Police will carry out more patrols as part of a pilot project designed to disrupt criminal activity, including terrorism, in a Warwickshire town.

Project Servator, a partnership between Warwickshire Police, West Midlands Police and Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands, will be piloted in Stratford-upon-Avon this summer.

It will involve uniformed police officers patrolling the area and engaging with the public at unpredictable times.

Warwickshire Police said there was no intelligence of an increased threat, and it hoped the pilot would keep thousands of visitors, residents and businesses safe.

"If you head into Stratford and see police officers in the town, there’s nothing to worry about," said Supt Nick Rowe, of Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands.

"Stratford is one of the top tourist destinations outside of London for visitors, so being able to pilot this collaboration is a real positive for us, and the town," added Supt Darren Webster, of Warwickshire Police.

The national project already runs in a number of police forces across the West Midlands, including Birmingham, Coventry, and Solihull.

As well as uniformed patrols, officers will also monitor the town using CCTV and use plain-clothes officers to deter criminals.

The force said the officers were specially trained to spot signs someone may be gathering information to help them plan or prepare to commit a crime.

It is hoped the visible policing will reassure the public as thousands flock to the town for the summer months.