Military town sees police out in force

EXTRA UNIFORMED and undercover officers were out on the streets of a North Yorkshire town yesterday in the latest stage of an “unpredictable policing” project to make life difficult for criminals.

They patrolled key areas of Catterick, home to Europe’s largest military base, including Princes Gate, Richmondshire Walk and the Munster Barracks, as part of the recently launched Project Servator.

The scheme is already part of regular business for a number of other forces, including British Transport Police and Essex Police.

It was launched locally last month in York, where armed police, dog handlers and mounted officers were on the streets and a police helicopter hovered above the city.

Officers have teamed up with military police at Catterick and deploy automatic number plate recognition and CCTV cameras in crowded places.

Superintendent Mark Grange of North Yorkshire Police, strategic lead for Project Servator, said checkpoints were in place around Catterick Garrison and on public roads.

But he said the measures were not in response to any specific threat to the military base or any others around North Yorkshire.

Inspector Dave Edwards, of North Yorkshire Police’s Proactive Policing Command, said: “Project Servator enhances our existing crime prevention and public safety tactics and is being rolled out in town centres and events across the county like we’ve seen in Catterick.

“Our officers have already been engaging with businesses and the local community over the last month to introduce them to the concept and to explain the vital role that they have to play.”