Southend city centre large police presence in deployment

Specially trained officers have been in the city centre speaking to shoppers in the High Street as well as shop staff, as part of a Project Servator deployment.

Officers speaking to shoppers in Southend High Street (Image: Essex Police)

This operation focuses on disrupting criminal activity, including terrorism, and keeping people safe, with lots of police officers deployed to one area.

Officers can be seen wearing their florescent police coats and speaking to people, including those who work nearby - with an aim to build a network of vigilance.

A PCSO in the high street (Image: Essex Police)

An Essex Police spokesman said: "This means asking the community to be on the lookout for suspicious or unusual behaviour. And when they spot something that doesn’t feel right, we want them to report it.

"Project Servator deployments will also often have police officers around who you can’t see. They’ll be looking out for the tell-tale signs that someone may be information gathering, or preparing to, commit a crime."

Officers speak to shop staff as well as residents (Image: Essex Police)

Residents are reassured there is nothing to worry about if they see a Project Servator as these are "normal police operations" which can pop-up anywhere at any time. They are designed to be unpredictable.

The spokesman added: "And if you see our officers and want to know what they’re doing, just ask them."