A LARGE police presence has been seen at a south Essex shopping centre as part of a "policing tactic" to disrupt criminal activity.

Specialist police officers were pictured inside Lakeside shopping centre, as well as in the large car park, as part of Essex Police's Project Servator patrols.

The force's operational support group worked alongside the West Thurrock Way shopping centre's security team as part of the deployment, speaking to shoppers inside the centre and drivers near the car park.

Project Servator is a policing tactic which aims to disrupt a range of criminal activity, including terrorism, while providing a "reassuring presence for the public".

Echo: Police officers speaking to shoppers in Lakeside shopping centrePolice officers speaking to shoppers in Lakeside shopping centre (Image: Essex Police)

This is a normal police activity and is not linked to any specific intelligence about a threat to the area, the force has reassured.

A spokesman for Essex Police operational support group: "By working together we can keep staff and customers safe. We can deter criminals. If you see something that doesn't feel right or seems suspicious - report it."

During these patrols, highly visible police officers spend time speaking with customers and staff, telling them about the type of suspicious behaviour to look out for and how to tell officers about it.

Meanwhile, plain-clothed officers look out for the tell-tale signs that someone is planning or preparing to commit an act of crime.

Residents may also see posters on display boards and officers handing out leaflets explaining more about Project Servator.

For more information, visit essex.police.uk/ProjectServator.