Progressive Target Surveillance

So far we have considered following one person in one vehicle. What if the target is more than one per­son, or more than one vehicle is involved. This is where progressive surveillance comes into it's own.

Beginning with the methods described previously, you will one day find yourself with a dilemma 7 whether to follow your original target or to continue with a new target following a meeting between the two of them. If you are prepared for this, there is no problem. A second vehicle or tracker on the first tar­ get's vehicle can assist, which is why planning on these kind of operations is essential. You may have to decide in an instant which is the more important target and you may not have the luxury of calling your client for a decision.

What do you decide to do if you are on your own? Well, unless you have the need to maintain surveil­lance on target one for some reason that is more important than learning more about target two, the choice is obvious. But to carry this out you need to know if he is going to leave on foot, take public transport or if he has a car nearby. Consider leaving your vehicle to assess this and to get a closer look at the new target. Return to your vehicle, however, before the new target leaves in order to safely ac­quire photo evidence and to keep your options open for tailing him.

In most circumstances, staying with your vehicle is the best option, even if he takes a bus. If there is a tube-train or underpass involved however, you need to consider abandoning your vehicle and following on foot or bike - (see the choice of vehicle section). If you need to abandon the vehicle, raising the bon­ net and depositing a handily positioned bottle of dirty water on the ground will convince any nosy offi­cials of the genuine nature of your breakdown. Arrange for the vehicle to be collected if possible or if you feel that you are going to be tailing the new target over a long distance.

The same techniques as before are employed in positioning and in maintaining the view of the new tar­ get, but be more aware that you are likely to know less about his anticipated movements and he may well leave the town and head for an airport, or just go home. As soon as you can make a safe decision as to what you feel his actions are, then make a call and update your base or your partner of your loca­tion and intentions. You are now entering a more uncertain area in that you have no background on the target and need to be wary of protecting yourself and your vehicle. Generally, however, the second tar­ get is less likely to expect to be followed, less wary of vehicles tailing and so can be followed with less concern over being spotted.

If you have a contact who can offer a trace of the new target's licence plate, consider using this now and see if the target's address fits the general route being taken. If it does, then you may be able to predict   his movements and make it less likely that you need to make sudden decisions. In addition, you can - if necessary - arrange for a fellow Pl to make his way to the location and when you arrive, for him to main­tain fixed surveillance. Alternatively , you may wish to have someone confirm that target one has re­ turned home or travelled to the anticipated location .

Never forget that it may be possible for the target to be setting you up with a dummy meeting and a false second target.