Eagle-eyed crowd spotter cops trained in counter terrorism will form an elite ‘Ring of Steel’ at this October’s Conservative Party conference – to foil potentially dangerous protestors. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said it is intensifying its security preparations ahead of the key Tory event taking place in Manchester later this year.
And the force has confirmed that specialist Project Servator cops – “specially trained officers who are skilled in identifying suspicious behaviour” – will be visible and hidden along the public and protestors outside. GMP added: “Project Servator is a well-established policing tactic aimed at disrupting a range of criminal activity, including terrorism.”
The force said planning for the conference, from 5th-8th October at the Manchester Central Convention Complex, has been taking place for the past 12 months.
In 2023 – when the Tory Party conference was last in Manchester – GMP’s Operation Protector for the event oversaw 3,000 protestors pack the city centre to complain about the then government.
Chief Superintendent John-Paul Ruffle, overseeing October’s GMP security operation, said this week: “Manchester is proud to host major national events and ensuring the safety of our residents, visitors, and delegates is our highest priority.
“In the lead-up to and throughout the conference, the public will notice an increased presence of uniformed officers, as well as plain-clothes and armed officers in the city centre and transport hubs.
“This is no cause for concern, it’s all part of our commitment to keeping people safe.
“GMP is working closely with Manchester City Council, British Transport Police, and other partners to ensure a safe and successful event. The force thanks the public for their co-operation and continued support.
“Officers will be engaging with the public and local businesses, encouraging vigilance and reporting of anything unusual.”
Project Servator is a specialist UK policing tactic that aims to disrupt a range of criminal activity, including terrorism. It has resulted in arrests for a multitude of offences and is responsible for removing firearms, knives and drugs from the streets.
Some Project Servator officers are highly visible, such as uniformed police officers, dogs and horses, armed officers and vehicle checkpoints – but others are in plain clothes and use resources like CCTV operators.
The UK Counter Terrorism Policing website explains the crucial difference between Servator and other police units are their special training “to identify individuals who may be planning or preparing to commit a criminal act.”
“They are able to spot the tell-tale signs that someone may be carrying out hostile reconnaissance – the planning a terrorist or other criminal needs to do before carrying out criminal activity, including terror attacks.”
Explaining the Project Servator specialist officers’ role for this October’s conference, Chief Supt Rufflle added: “Project Servator aims to disrupt a range of criminal activity, including terrorism, while providing a reassuring presence for the public.
“Our officers are experienced and specially trained to spot the tell-tale signs that someone is planning or preparing to commit an act of crime.
“If you encounter a deployment, please don’t be alarmed, our officers are there to keep you safe. Feel free to speak with them—they’ll be happy to explain what they’re doing and how you can help.”
