Guidance

Criminals frequently conduct surveillance on locations that are looking to attend. They are looking for locations and items that present the biggest gain, for the least amount of risk. Burglaries and theft of attractive motor vehicle, are within the frame of this article.

In order to do this they need freedom of movement to walk around, to check the:

– Landscape

– Lines of sight on their target(s) and ability to be observed by others persons

– Security hardware in place

– Entry and exit points

– People at or in the vicinity who have control, ownership or might be there at particular times.

Cover

Dressing as a tradesperson is a tactic criminals frequently use. The do so because:

– It provides cover and they are able to blend into the environment

– Tradespeople attend location at all times so it is not unusual

– A trades outfit provides freedom of movement to inspect and view

– It can be ambiguous as to the task being undertaken

– People are less inclined to challenge a tradesperson who looks busy

Red Flag indicators

Indicators are just that, indicators, not evidence. Like strands in a cable one activity by itself might not provoke alarm, but multiple actions would be considered suspicious.

– Watch the person for a period of time. This will display a pattern and identify what, if any activity is being undertaken.

– Identify how they got to the location. Tradespeople typically have a vehicle parked nearby, so they can access tools and supplies.

– Check their outfit. Is there a company logo, work boots appropriate for the alleged task, is what they are wearing considered a uniform.

– Are they making notes on paper or using a phone, taking photographs. Does it make sense given signage on their vehicle or clothing worn.

– Do they walk with a sense of purpose or wander as if time has little meaning.

Options

Options are actions you could undertake. They should be scaled and not expose you to unnecessary risk. If you are unsure, report the matter to private security or law enforcement.

Consider:

Do nothing. Note or photograph the individual(s) and any vehicles they attended in.

If signage is visible, contact the company in question and identify whether they have workers in the area.

Contact neighbors during or after the event to let them know. It may be an innocent activity.

Challenge the person(s), context based, taking into consideration the circumstances. Ask questions in a polite tone. Frequently it’s not what they say as a response, but how they say it which may provide insight into their outlook and presence. If you do challenge someone:

– Tell someone what you are doing.

– Activate the live sharing feature in CORE LITE or create a safety plan for the location.

– If CCTV is available, conduct any challenge within the arc of view. It is a point of corroboration should the event turn negative.

– Contact private security it that it an option to your area.

– Contact law enforcement.

How you can help

Remember. Safety first.

Recording information may assist security or law enforcement at the time, or at a later date in the future when it has been established a crime was committed.

There are a range of activities you can undertake, however consider your personal safety and that of others. Try and remain hidden or discrete about what you are doing.

– Take photographs of any vehicles, including tag or license plates or signage on the vehicle.

– Take note of what type of vehicle is present. Sedan / SUV / Van, the color and any thing unusual like roof racks or damaged panels or signage

– Take a note of how many people there are

– Take a note of physical descriptions including Scars / Marks / Tattoos and clothing worn

– Identify whether the person(s) are carrying anything

– Identify where did they travel from and where did they park

– Taking photographs of the person(s), with a focus on their face for recognition purposes if safe to do so.

If you decide to report the matter to law enforcement they may ask you for this information. If there is a crime event shortly after the sighting, consider passing along any information recorded or captured.

Guidance

A burglary is where a person or persons enters, or remains in a building as a trespasser, with the intent of committing an offence, generally this is theft.

The definition may change in your country of origin, but in general, a burglary is a theft from a building.

A burglary is considered aggravated, when a person is at home, as the risk of harms and conflict increases.

Consider what you are protecting.

Where possible avoid contact with offenders.

The actions you take, and any use of force, are dependent on laws applicable to your jurisdiction.

Create a planned response

Identify the point of entry.

This could include a broken window, marks on a door that has been forced open.

Do not closely approach damaged sections of a building, such as broken glass. Falling debris may cut you.

Avoid touching anything. Police may want to assess the crime scene.

If at night use a torch, carrying it in one hand, at head height, so you can maximize your viewing distance.

Position yourself, so you have good lines of sight and can see any person approaching.

Note any vehicles or transport movement’s in the area.

If you see a vehicle, note the make/model, type, color, number of persons in the vehicle. Note any distinctive features.

Context dependent, create a form up point outside a building, where people can park their vehicles and respond to the event. This avoids contaminating the crime scene and minimizes the risk of injury.

Offender(s) in the building with you

If you are in the building and identify that offenders are present, if safe to do so, consider exiting to a safe location and contact emergency services, police.

Next steps

Call emergency services. They will guide you on next steps.

Provide a description to emergency services on what you are wearing and your location.

Remain on the call until it is safe or emergency services are on scene and advise you to end the call.

Share your location with others

1. Activate Help in Core Lite

You can share your Help alert web browser link with emergency services.

When activating Help, select yourself as a contact to alert.

Check your SMS. View your live location.

Copy the web browser link and send to emergency services.

They will provide you with an SMS number or email to send it to.

Emergency services can view your live location and reduces the risk of armed confrontation.

2. Create a safety plan 

Share it with contacts, so they know where you are. Select in Notify Contacts the Check in/out option so contacts are sent a copy of your safety plan.