This canal tow path is perfect for a person conducting either overt or covert anti-surveillance manoeuvres. With only one side for cover - a surveillance operative may be exposed if he gets too close. If performing overt measures, the target may stop - thus forcing the surveillance officer to either walk past or turn around. Either way, it’s a difficult decision to make and one that must be taken immediately
would note vehicles or look for anyone pulling out or walking directly behind. ON FOOT • Persons “drilling” would frequently look directly behind; this can be done covertly or overtly. Crossing the road allows the subject to stop, look left and right for traffic. Entering glass-fronted shops also provides cover and allows time to observe surroundings and individuals. • The subject may drop a piece of paper and see whether it is picked up and removed or examined. • He may enter a telephone box or use a phone to observe surroundings. This often affords a 270 or 360 degree angle of observation, and allows him to remain stationary for several minutes. If a surveillance officer stops and waits for him to leave the phone box, it could induce suspicion. • When leaving the telephone box, the subject may keep a close eye on it in the event a surveillance operator is ‘clearing’ the box for any information left behind such as a note, businesscard, telephone number etc.
Crossing the road allows the subject to stop, look left and right for traffic... seeking possible surveillance officers
• A classic anti-surveillance procedure is to enter a shop or large store or café and observe the doorway to see if anyone follows.
• ‘Square the box’, or change direction frequently
• Frequently turn around.
• Use different modes of transport; bus, train or a taxi. If on a bus, he will sit at the rear and observe those also getting on.
• Walk into areas where there is little pedestrian activity such as a quiet housing estate. (Walking down a cul de sac is a trait learned and performed by al-Qaida and may compromise a following operative).
• Quickly evade or hide from the surveillance and look for alert reactions whilst they try to relocate and engage eye-contact.
• Use large department stores with many exits and levels. Utilise escalators to force the surveillance operative up narrow channels.
All of these actions can be performed by a person conducting anti-surveillance. Stopping to examine a restaurant menu outside a large reflective window allows ample time to note one’s surroundings and evidence of a surveillance - both foot and mobile
These two examples (Fig.1 and Fig.2) show the extremes of anti-surveillance. The target in Fig. 1 has chosen an empty shopping centre with few people and many opportunities to confirm her suspicions of a surveillance. Below, the target in the hat (circled Fig.2) has walked into a busy train station affording him many opportunities to identity possible surveillance operatives. He can also catch a train, taxi or bus from this location (Fig.3)
Fig.1
The surveillance target in these images has been tracked through a busy city by operatives on foot and in vehicles. He now selects a bus to continue his journey - this could be construed as an antisurveillance measure - or he may be simply going home... either way, a surveillance team will have noted his use of the cell phone - is he calling colleagues to mount a counter-surveillance operation against the surveillance team?
Fig.2
Fig.3
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