New tactics are being used to protect Sellafield from a terrorist attack.

And they are measures that police hope will make it more difficult for would-be attackers to target the sprawling nuclear complex.

A renewed appeal has been launched for people to report anything suspicious surrounding the site, with the national threat level remaining high.

And while the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC) says there is no direct threat to Sellafield, officers have warned that they cannot afford to be complacent.<

Project Servator will see officers deployed in a less predictable way, tactics similar to those used in central London.

“There’s no specific threat to the county or the site but the national threat is still severe – which means an attack is highly likely – so we don’t want people to be complacent,” said project leader Chief Inspector Tony Cole.</p

“It’s unpredictable so instead of having two people in one place every day sometimes it’ll be two, sometimes six or sometimes 10. Sometimes we will have dogs or protection vehicles.”

He added: “The aim is to randomise it so if there is anyone looking at the site from a terrorism point of view it is difficult for them to plan.”

Project Servator will involve CNC officers working together with the police and surrounding communities to report suspicious activity.</

David Moore, chairman of the West Cumbria Site Stakeholder Group, which provides public scrutiny of the nuclear industry in the area, said: “People in the community – farmers, landowners and in small villages – know when something different happens but they haven’t known how to contact the CNC.

“This facility is now open and they’re encouraging people to get in touch. They will decide if it is trivial or not. We believe we have some of the best policing in the country.”

Mr Cole said: “We’ve been trialling it since the early part of the year, with fairly simple to more complex deployments and now we’re trying to engage with the community.<

“This is a chance to build on the community spirit Cumbria has and to be our eyes and ears. We want people to trust their instincts, if you see anything suspicious then report it. A lot of people say they don’t want to bother us but by all means report it. The smallest piece of information could be key.”

The CNC is the armed police force in charge of protecting civil nuclear sites and nuclear materials in England, Scotland and Wales. Follow it on Twitter – @nuclearpolice.<

To report any concerns call the CNC on 019467 73999 or email servator@cnc.pnn.police.uk.