Prevention and Coping Strategies

7/28/2019 Prevention and Coping Strategies

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PREVENTION AND

COPING STRATEGIES

Kidnapping

Hostage taking

Extortion


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Sharing knowledge saves lives


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More inormation on the European Union is available onthe Internet (http://europa.eu).

Cataloguing data can be ound at the end o this publication.

Luxembourg: Publications Ofce o the European Union, 2012

Printed in Belgium

PRINTEDONPROCESSCHLORINE-FREERECYCLEDPAPER (PCF

)

About EuNAT

The European Network o Advisory Teams (EuNAT) is

a network o experienced law enorcement advisory

teams rom across Europe, who provide a mecha-

nism or immediate international cooperation when

responding to the threat o kidnapping, hostage

taking and extortion, where lie is at risk.

The network represents a platorm or sharing good

practice in this speciic ield throughout the EU and

within the members respective countries, within the

constraints o each Member States legal ramework.

EuNAT: sharing knowledge saves lives.

The network is supported by Europol, inanced by the

EU and recognised by Interpol.
http://europa.eu/http://europa.eu/


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3

Foreword

Due to your personal and/or proessional circum-

stances, you and your amily may be at a higher risk

o being aected by a serious oence like kidnapping,hostage taking or extortion.

Experience shows that these crimes are oten well

prepared by the perpetrators. The oender might take

advantage o the victims routines or habits in order to

identiy opportunities or an attack.

Understanding this will help you identiy any weak

spots in your routines and take steps to reduce the risk

o becoming a victim. This also applies to spontaneous

crimes such as robberies.

This brochure aims to help you minimise potential and

oreseeable risks and suggests how you can do this,

in order to be as sae as possible. It should be used in

accordance with national and company laws, policies

and procedures.

The content may reinorce what you already know orraise new ideas that you have not yet considered. It

also contains recommendations or reacting to critical

situations like a kidnapping.


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Prevention


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PREVENTION

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Security awareness

By acting in a security-conscious way, you can reduce

the risk o being aected by crime.

This includes:

developing security awareness;

identiying your own vulnerabilities;

being alert and observant.

Those surrounding you your amily, employees,

neighbours and carers o your children should bebrieed on a regular basis.

Avoid going into unsae areas, especially on excur-

sions. Be aware o any current situations in the area.

Understand that risk levels can change, even over-

night.I you observe anything suspicious, immediately relay

this inormation to your security oicial or the police.

I it is necessary to go to a high-risk area, discuss this

with a relevant source such as your security team or

your oreign ministry.


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PREVENTION

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Its in your hands

dont be a victim

Once you have decided on your security measures,

these should be put into practice consistently and

communicated to the people around you. You shouldmake these second nature!

Your goals are to:

not be an attractive victim;

avoid providing criminals with opportunities;

react appropriately and proportionately.

Beore you go abroad, ind out about the security situ-

ation at your destination and about any o the coun-

trys special characteristics and cultural norms. Try

to use all available sources o inormation and stay

inormed o any changes in the security situation.

Although it can be challenging, do not avoid dealing

with security matters. Be open to new inormation and

advice, so that you have a good basis or your deci-

sions.

Experience of a country is not a guarantee for your

safety!


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PREVENTION

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Vigilance

All criminals exploit opportunities and vulnerabil-

ities. Observe your surroundings careully, especially

around your residence, your workplace and your car,

as these might be where criminals approach you. Be

particularly attentive when dealing with unexpected

callers to your home.

Be cautious o whom you conide in. Be aware that

strangers or casual acquaintances might have other

motives.

Be on your guard with unexpected occurrences like

apparent emergencies, traic incidents or roadblocks,

and with anyone approaching you to oer help. It

might be a diversion or trap.

When you return to your home or vehicle, check orchanges, signs o a break-in (like damage to windows

and doors or blocked locks) or anything unusual.

Watch out or individuals or vehicles ollowing you. I

you suspect you are being ollowed, you could drive

to the local police station or to a place where you eelsae.


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PREVENTION

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Keep a low profile

Try not to be an attractive target. Wear clothing that

will not draw attention and do not display any jewel-

lery (including akes), or have expensive vehicles, bags,

suitcases, etc.

It is not your perception o wealth that counts, it is the

view o the local populations. Remember that your

ethnicity may be enough to make you stand out.

You should take care to respect local customs and

adapt your appearance and behaviour to the countryyou are staying in.

Walk sel-conidently and purposeully and do not let

it show i you do not know the route. Do not make

it obvious when consulting maps and travel guides.

Choose yoursel whom you want to ask or directions.

Your ull name, where you work and your unction

should not be displayed on luggage, your car, door-

plates or signs. Consider using your name only instead

o the companys or invoices, bookings and your

credit card.


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PREVENTION

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Protect your information

Prevent criminals rom inding out anything that might

make you their target. Overhearing your conversa-

tions in public or on a mobile phone can reveal a lot

about you.

You should keep all documents and your schedule

sae. Even discarded documents or invoices can be

used to gain inormation, so destroy them thoroughly.

Your appointments and absences should not be

known to outsiders and should not be disclosedby amily members, employees or an out-o-oice

message rom your e-mail account.

In the case o unusual or repeated enquiries, notiy

your organisations saety oicer or the local security

agency.

Consider whether your home address and telephone

number need to be listed in the telephone direc-

tory, the Internet, telephone lists o your workplace,

membership lists, etc. Use your company address or

business correspondence, registration purposes, etc.

Bundeskriminalamt


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PREVENTION

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Be cautious about providing inormation about your-

sel on the Internet, e.g. in social networks. It can

also be used as a source o inormation by criminals.

Your computer and important iles should be protectedagainst unauthorised access. Use only secure pass-

words and change them regularly. You should backup

your data at regular intervals.

Depending on the threat level o your environment,

consider cleaning your phone, computer, documentsand passport o:

inormation about your employer (e.g. wear neutral

clothes on all ID pictures);

all other sensitive data (especially unencrypted) that

might do damage i in the wrong hands, such asinancial inormation and company secrets;

unnecessary contact details (disguise important

ones and consider whether you need to carry busi-

ness cards);

inormation about countries you have travelled to

(visa, entry stamps), or request a second passport inecessary.


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PREVENTION

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Avoid routines

Predictable behaviour makes it easy or criminals to

spy on you and make plans.

Vary the time you depart or, and return rom, work.

Vary your route and take detours.

Vary the vehicle you take and where you park it.

Vary when and where you go to bars, clubs and

restaurants.

Vary when and where you go to activities such as

sports or meetings with riends.

You are most vulnerable on the way to and rom your

vehicle and home. Minimise the risk by being extra

alert and moving switly. Have your key ready when

you approach your car or home. Ensure that you are

given quick access at gates, or example, by callingahead.

At home, arrange or some activity during your

absence like having the blinds and lighting used, pre-

erably at varying times. Have advertising material and

newspapers removed your rom letter box.


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PREVENTION

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Security at home

Your home should be well protected against un-

authorised entry. New locks should be installed when

you move in or i a key is lost. Never leave a key outside.

Repair any deective lighting as soon as possible.

A video or audio intercom combined with a door

limiter and spyhole can help you control access to your

home.

You may consider having your house itted with an

alarm system. You should contract a reputable and, ipossible, certiied security company and know what to

expect i the alarm is triggered. Keeping dogs within

the house has been known to deter intruders.

Establish which would be the saest room or the

amily to lock themselves into i intruders were to enteryour residence. Do not orget to have communica-

tions equipment in this room to call or help. Consider

seeking advice about how to improve the resilience o

that room.

Only employ reliable sta with reerences. You shoulddevelop good relationships and avoid changing them.

Be aware o the possibility that sta might be orced to

cooperate with criminals.

Alexey Stiop Fotolia


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PREVENTION

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Children

Children are naturally trusting and unsuspicious.

Choose practical, everyday examples to regularly

instruct them.

Children should:not talk to strangers or disclose any inormation

about the amily (inormation protection);

be supervised while playing outside, running

errands or on their way to school and riends homes;

accept instructions only rom those people author-

ised by their parents or guardians;

never go anywhere with strangers;

be encouraged to instantly report suspicious or

threatening incidents to their parents, guardians,

the police or other trustworthy people.

You should always know where your children are.Inorm their carers about who is exclusively allowed to

collect your children.

Try to get to know your childrens riends and their

parents. Make sure that everyone supervising your

children knows how to contact you and make sure thatyou are able to contact them at any time.

Try to supervise your childrens use o social media and

what they disclose about their liestyle.

Marzanna Syncerz Fotolia


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PREVENTION

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Vehicles and parking

Choose a well-lit, easily overlooked and attended car

park. Avoid stopping next to occupied vehicles or

vehicles you cannot see into (like delivery vans).

Do not approach your car i there are suspicious peopleloitering nearby or i your departure will be hindered,

e.g. by another parked vehicle.

I possible, your remote control should only open

the drivers door. Keep the car doors locked and the

windows closed while you are driving. No valuable

items should be visible rom the outside.

Only stop your car i it cannot be avoided try to

avoid the rush hour. Keep your distance rom the

vehicle in ront in order to have an escape route. You

may consider attending a driver saety course.

Keep your uel tank at least hal ull and take a supply

o water, ood and blankets with you to avoid having

to stop in an unsae area.

Familiarise yoursel with the car and select appropriate

security eatures such as run lat tyres, saety window

ilm or armour. Have your car maintained at reliablegarages.

Keep your car key separate rom your home and oice

keys. That way, i your car is taken, the hijacker does

not have access to your home as well.

M. Jenkins Fotolia


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PREVENTION

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Cash and cards

Only take what you really need. Money and other

valuables should be carried close to your body, pre-

erably out o sight (e.g. under your clothing). Do not

let your bank card out o your sight when paying, or

example in restaurants.

Keep a suitable amount o cash in an easily accessible

place, separate rom other valuables. This will enable

you to pay small amounts without disclosing where

the rest o your money and valuables are. You can also

hand this money over in the event o a robbery.

Choose cash machines (ATMs) in busy locations and

use them during the day or i well lit. Ideally, avoid

being on your own.

You should approach the ATM with your card in yourhand and your PIN in mind. Ater the withdrawal, put

the money away, out o sight, and leave immediately.

Yuri Arcurs Fotolia


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PREVENTION

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Travelling safely

Take some time to prepare your trip and gather inor-

mation about your destination. Consider open source

material such as websites o oreign ministries or

up-to-date travel advice and security inormation.

It may be possible to register with your embassy or

inorm them o your intended presence.

Do not hesitate to change the route o your journey or

cancel it i the security situation suggests this.

Avoid giving away inormation about your route or

reasons or your journey, or example on luggage

labels. Arrange a code word with the driver picking

you up at your destination to ensure that you go with

the right person. I they will be holding up a sign or

you to ind them, tell them to put as little inormation

on it as possible.Find out about trusted partners (hotels, transport,

travel agencies) beore you leave. Aim to arrive at your

destination in daylight. Use only licensed taxis and ask

or the taxi registration number.

Opt or hotel rooms with an easy escape route, on thesecond loor or above. Consider using the hotel sae

or your valuables and documents. No one should be

able to enter your room at night unnoticed make

use o security devices like door chains or bring a door-

stop.

Shutterstock


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PREVENTION

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Organisations and

companies

Organisations and companies that require sta to

travel abroad have a duty to care or the saety o their

employees. Risk can be minimised through the provi-sion o training, brieings, rules o engagement and

logistical arrangements.

Security measures should be regularly reviewed and

upgraded i necessary.

These may include:

checks o people and vehicles at entry and exit

points;

physical security like checking and escorting visitors

and deliveries;

security exercises or employees;

the set-up o a central travel management moni-

toring activity, welare whilst deployed, single point

o contact and debrieings;

encouraging employees to complete a personal

data proile (see details under Checklists, page 40).

Employees should know their security oicer. Pro-

cedures in case o security-related incidents should

be predeined and known to all employees.


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PREVENTION

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Being prepared

I you live in a high-risk or threatening environment,

you and your amily should regularly discuss how to

react to suspicious or threatening events. This will help

you to be prepared i such a situation arises.

You should always inorm someone you trust about

where you are going and when you plan to return.

They should also know who to inorm i you are not

back by that time (amily, security oicer, security

agencies).

Keep a well-charged mobile phone with you, so that

you can call or help at any time, wherever you are. Keep

important contact details and copies o your personal

documents somewhere where you can access them in

case o need (e.g. give them to a person you trust or

keep them password-protected on the Internet).In addition:

know about exits, escape routes and sae places on

your everyday routes;

memorise phone numbers o the police, ire depart-

ment, ambulance and key contacts;know the number o the 24/7 hotline and address o

your nearest embassy;

prepare a personal data proile (see suggestions

in the Checklists section) and leave it with key

contacts;

have the phone number(s) or blocking your bankcards noted down.

Berc Fotolia


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PREVENTION

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Reacting appropriately

Trust your intuition. I anything makes you eel suspi-

cious:

keep on the move in preerence to stopping;

observe your environment attentively and incon-spicuously;

make brie notes (e.g. o car registration plates) and

inorm others (neighbours, security oicers, local

police, your embassy);

prepare to make a quick exit;

move to a sae place (e.g. a busy place, large hotel,

international bank or police station);

call or assistance (e.g. security personnel, police) to

have checks/investigations perormed.

Be on the sae side do not investigate or intervenealone. Find support!

If you are robbed, do not resist. Money and valu-

ables can be replaced, your life and health cannot!

Inorm the police and your embassy about any security

incidents.


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KIDNAPPING OR HOSTAGE TAKING

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What happens?

Kidnappings range rom express kidnaps o a short

duration, where the victim may be orced to withdraw

money rom an ATM, to a captivity o several months.

Hostage takings are usually o a short duration and arecharacterised by a stand-o conrontation between

the oenders and security orces.

The advice or kidnappings and hostage takings can

be applied to conrontations with other violent indi-

viduals (or example robbers).

Knowing what can be expected can help you to get

through it with the best outcome.

The ollowing suggestions are based on inorma-

tion about past kidnappings and the experiences ohostages.

The main aim o all advice is to secure the release of

the hostage, unharmed!

Atikinka2 Fotolia


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The taking

The threat level o a kidnapping is highest at the start,

since the oenders are extremely tense and on their

guard. I met with resistance, or i their plan does not

go as expected, the oenders may react unpredict-

ably and aggressively.

I you are not sure whether you can escape immedi-

ately and successully, you must accept your situation

or the time being.

Try to gain control over your shock, ear and agitationas soon as possible:

stay calm;

ollow the instructions o the oenders, taking a

passive role;

do not make any sudden movements ask irsteven when, or example, you just want to release

your saety belt or pick up your child;

do not argue;

do not make direct eye contact.

At this point your only aim is to survive!


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Dealing with the

offenders

Be reserved but cooperative. I spoken to, answer

openly but neutrally. Do not make any statements that

can be proven wrong. Ask yoursel what can be oundout about you in open sources, e.g. social media.

Now your aim is to stabilise the situation. As the dura-

tion o the kidnap increases, the threat o being injured

or killed decreases.

Try to establish a personal relationship with theoenders without going too ar. Topics like amily (e.g.

by showing photographs), sports and hobbies are suit-

able.

Stay politically neutral. Avoid controversial issues such

as religion or politics. Moderate religious belie can bemore avourable than being an atheist, which may be

scorned upon.

Rerain rom making accusations and appearing

hostile or arrogant.

Try to keep your dignity and sel-respect. Show the

oenders that you are a human being with a amily

and your own worries and concerns.


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If a group is taken

Every person in the group is experiencing exceptional

circumstances. Stress and the personalities o those

involved can add to that.

I possible, talk to each other! In the ace o all thediiculties, try to stick together and to stabilise and

support each other.

Inorm the others that acting calmly, cooperatively

and unobtrusively reduces the threat level or the

whole group.

To detach rom the group or stand out poses a risk.

Remember that i one captive breaks the rules, this can

have a negative eect on all the victims and threaten

your solidarity within the group.I the oenders plan to set individual captives ree, do

not reuse.

Bundeskriminalamt


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Release, rescue or

escape

Releasing you is risky or the oenders. Take special

care to ollow instructions and stay calm.

In the case o a rescue operation, take care to ollow

the instructions o the security orces even i they

may not identiy you as the victim at irst. Avoid any

sudden movements.

Only try to escape if you are sure of your success!

Think your plan through careully, as ar as how to

reach a sae place. In the case o ailure you may ace

punishment and worse conditions in your captivity.

Bundeskriminalamt


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When you are free

When you are ree, go to a sae place like a big inter-

national hotel, hospital or airport. Report to your

embassy, the police, your amily or your organisation/

company as soon as possible.

Allow evidence to be secured rom your clothes and

objects you have with you, by packing them as soon

as possible and handing them over to the authorities.

All inormation you can give may lead to the detec-

tion and arrest o the oenders. For this, the policewill interview you about your observations ater your

liberation (see Your role as a witness, page 32).

Be restrained about statements to the public, even

i you eel the need to explain or to oer thanks.

Consider that you may put the investigation at risk orgive criminals ideas or uture kidnappings.

It is important that you coordinate any interviews with

the media with the police and prosecutors oice.

Kidnapping is a lie-changing event, both or the

hostage and their amily. You may consider seeking

medical assistance in the uture.


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EXTORTION

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You are blackmailed

Extortion can range rom a one-o letter which

threatens to reveal sensitive inormation, to the use o

violence with subsequent demands, such as in kidnap-

pings. Criminals occasionally make use o the act that

someone cannot be contacted (e.g. because they are

on an excursion) to extort money rom their amily,

claiming to have kidnapped them.

Initially, every threat has to be taken seriously. The

first aim is to protect the health and life of anyone

involved.

It is crucial that you inorm the police, even i the

oenders demand that you do not.

The police can work covertly to support you in

handling the situation and averting (urther) harm.

They can assist you in assessing the level o threat and

making the right decisions.

Minimise the number o people who are inormed

about the extortion.

Feng Yu Fotolia


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EXTORTION

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Contact by the offender

I you receive a blackmail letter, prevent urther

handling o the letter and its envelope as soon as you

recognise what it is. It contains evidence! I you need

to handle it, use gloves and put it into a big paper

envelope without olding it. Note when and how it

arrived and who touched it. I it was sent by e-mail, do

not orward it. Use print-outs or screenshots until you

get assistance, as it might contain malware.

Coordinate your next steps with the police.

The oender(s) may call you and talk to you them-

selves, play a recording or let the kidnapped person

talk.

Listen attentively.

Note the content o the conversation and, i neces-

sary, ask questions to conirm.Try to obtain urther inormation.

Do not agree to anything at this point.

Agree on a time or the next call.

Note the time and duration o the call, the number o

the caller i available and any other observations likeaccent, peculiar wording and background noises. See

also the template table under Checklists, page 44.

Record all urther calls using an answering machine,

mobile phone, MP3 player or voice recorder.

Inform the police immediately!

Bundeskriminalamt


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CHECKLISTS

40

Personal data profile

Depending on your level o risk, consider collecting

the ollowing data and storing it with people you trust

in case you become the victim o a crime. You can seal

it in an envelope only to be opened in emergencies.

Update this at least every year and beore a high-risk

trip.

An up-to-date photograph and details o where

more recent ones may be ound.

Personal data such as: name, date and place o birth;

address; copy o passport; telephone numbers;languages spoken; club memberships; e-mail

addresses; Internet account details like Facebook,

Twitter and Skype; bank accounts; vehicle registra-

tions; property owned; pets.

A detailed physical description: height; eyes; hair;

acial hair; tattoos; glasses; hearing aid, etc.; details

o any medical conditions, like asthma.

Numbers (IMSI and IMEI) (1) o your mobile devices,

credit cards and serial numbers o equipment

carried with you.

Contact persons: relatives, close riends, colleagues,neighbours.

Questions only you can answer.

A voice recording (record you and your amily

members reading a paragraph rom a book, or

about one minute).A DNA sample (like a used toothbrush or some hair

with roots), wrapped in a paper envelope.

(1) IMSI: international mobile subscriber identity;IMEI: international mobile equipment identity.


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CHECKLISTS

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Information you can

prepare in advance

Information about you

Your name

How can you be contacted?

What happened?

What are your suspicions based on?

Information about the victims

Number o missing persons

Personal data (name, date o birth, nationality, resi-

dence)

Condition (physical, mental, medication)

Description, distinguishing eatures (beard, glasses,

scars)

Clothing, objects carried by the victims (luggage,

jewellery, toys, etc.)

Vehicle (type, colour, registration plate, distin-

guishing eatures).

Contact with kidnappers or victims

Did you have contact and when?

Between whom exactly was the contact estab-

lished?

What was the content (threats, demands)?

When are you expecting the next contact?

Relatives/employer

Who has been inormed (employer, relatives, author-

ities, media)?

Is the threat continuing (or relatives, otheremployees)?


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CHECKLISTS

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Talking to kidnappers or

hostages

Get a pen and paper; turn on a recording device

if available (voice recorder, mobile phone, MP3

player, answering machine).Talk slowly, seriously and calmly.

Reassure offenders and hostages.

Check if you understood correctly.

Do not accept demands (acknowledge them and

pass them on).Ask when you will talk again.


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CHECKLISTS

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Documenting notes on

contacts template

No Date/time(rom/to)

Contact with: Hostage (H) Oender (O) Relative (R) Media (M) Other (?)

Documented notes: Content (demands,

threats, ultimatum) Could you talk to the

hostage(s)? What did you tell the

oender? When will you next

speak? Caller ID?

Any other observations?

1

2

3


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45

Pocket memo

Cut off here

Kidnapping

The irst hour is the most dangerous. Your irstaim is to survive the taking!

Fear is a normal reaction. Try to gain control

over your shock, ear and agitation as soon as

possible.

Do not make any sudden movements ask irst.

Do not act the hero! Take no action that may have

a negative eect on you and other captives.

Be cooperative but reserved. Follow all instruc-

tions closely.

Do not make any statements that can be proven

wrong.

KidnappingThe irst hour is the most dangerous. Your irst

aim is to survive the taking!

Fear is a normal reaction. Try to gain control

over your shock, ear and agitation as soon aspossible.

Do not make any sudden movements ask irst.

Do not act the hero! Take no action that may have

a negative eect on you and other captives.

Be cooperative but reserved. Follow all instruc-tions closely.

Do not make any statements that can be proven

wrong.

Cut off here


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Copyright

The inormation contained in this brochure is

copyright protected. The original German language

version and English translation were produced and are

owned by the Bundeskriminalamt (Federal Criminal

Police o Germany (BKA)) and EuNAT. Publication and

dissemination o this brochure was made possible

through Europols support.

Republication o this inormation in whole or in part

(including the logos o the BKA, Europol and EuNAT)

requires advance written permission. Any consentprovided will be conditional upon the source o

inormation/material or images being identiied and

copyright being acknowledged. Applications should

be submitted to:

EuropolPO Box 90850

2509 LW The Hague

The Netherlands

This inormation was produced in good aith and as a

summary o inormation. Neither the BKA nor Europolaccepts any liability or any damage or loss caused

or alleged to be caused by or in connection with use

o/reliance on the material.


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Europol

Prevention and coping strategies

Kidnapping Hostage taking Extortion

Luxembourg

Publications Ofce o the European Union

2012 47 pp. 9.9 21 cm

ISBN 978-92-95018-96-9

doi:10.2813/31549

doi:10.2813/35951


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QL-30-12-424-EN-C

Documents

Prevention and Coping Strategies