Two Wheels, One Mission: Project Servator at The Last Ride Home
Two Wheels, One Mission: Project Servator at The Last Ride Home
Ministry of Defence Police Project Servator Deployment Delivers Results at National Motorcycle Event in Cumbria
As tens of thousands of motorcyclists gathered to honour the late Hairy Biker, Dave Myers, in his hometown of Barrow-in-Furness, specially trained Ministry of Defence Police Project Servator officers deployed throughout the town.
Working alongside Cumbria Constabulary Nuclear Estates Team (CCNET) and the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC), Project Servator officers from all three Forces popped up across Barrow-in-Furness and Ulverston as part of Dave's Day – "The Last Ride Home" – a national charity tribute ride celebrating the life of the much-loved television personality.
Upwards of 40,000 motorcycles took part in the event on Saturday 20 June, tracing a 300-mile northbound route through the heart of England to raise funds for charity, with thousands of people taking to the streets to welcome them.
Specially trained officers engaged with the public and security personnel at Barrow and Ulverston train stations, local supermarkets during the lunchtime rush and the local town centre, before deploying at the biker parade itself.
During the day, one individual was arrested under Section 5(3) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 for possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.
"Dave's Day brought tens of thousands of people to the area to celebrate a much-loved figure and raise money for charity."
"Keeping our Defence sites and the communities around them safe is at the heart of everything we do — and that commitment extended to ensuring Dave's Day remained a safe and enjoyable event for all.”
PS Calladine, Barrow Project Servator Sergeant
"This deployment is a strong example of how Project Servator can make a real difference."
"By identifying and acting on suspicious behaviour during a major public event, our officers disrupted what could have been a supply of Class A drugs into our Defence community."
"Working alongside CCNET and CNC, we demonstrated exactly what collaborative, proactive policing looks like."
Detective Chief Inspector Renton
Project Servator is a specialist policing tactic used by the Ministry of Defence Police to disrupt a range of criminal activity, including terrorism.
Deployments are deliberately unpredictable and involve a combination of uniformed and plain-clothes officers and can include additional resources like police dogs.
Supported by community engagement and communications, the effect is the creation of a network of vigilance which creates a difficult environment for potential terrorists considering their targets and individuals looking to commit crime.
You have a vital role to play in helping us by reporting anything that doesn’t feel right. Contact the MDP directly, by calling 0300 1232 101, or dial 999 in an emergency.