Guidance

Identifying suspicious activity is not an exact science.

Identifying suspicious behavior is a matter of context.

Make an informed assessment of suspicious activity or behavior based on the environment, experience, judgment, and common sense.

There are behavioral clues you can look out for when identifying potential preparatory actions for criminal or terrorist activity.

Behavioral signals

Note. Everything is context based.

– Continuous scanning of an area

– Unusual perspiration

– Heavy breathing

– Fidgeting

– Rubbing hands

– Pacing

– Clock watching

– Exaggerated yawning; and

– Avoiding security/uniformed officers.

Suspicious actions

Note. Everything is context based.

– Persons wearing clothing that does not suit the environment or culture

– People in stationary vehicles watching a building or structure

– Vehicles parked in suspicious circumstances i.e. a small car in a delivery area

– People using recording equipment, including camera phones, or seen making notes or sketches of security details

– Persons paying close attention to specific entry and exit points, stairwells, hallways or fire escapes

– People loitering at or near premises for long periods and watching staff, visitors and deliveries for no apparent reason

– People asking detailed or unusual questions about buildings and business operations for no apparent reason

– Anyone in ‘off limits’ areas, plant rooms and similar – ask these people who they are and what they are doing

Options

Recording

Vehicles: Record vehicle number / licence/tag plate, color, make/model

People: Ethnicity, height, hair color, length, build, scars/marks/tattoos, clothing top and bottom

Photograph if safe to do so.

Reporting

If circumstances indicate or there is a credible threat, consider reporting the matter to police.