If you’re travelling to a location which has a history of kidnapping, it is imperative you start managing the risk before you go. I recommend getting professional advice and / or undertaking training so you can manage your own safety or (if your budget allows) employ a security detail. You should also have adequate insurance, specifically covering kidnap & ransom in the (unfortunate) event you get ‘lifted’.
Without going into the intricate details of the sequence of kidnapping, it will typically go through 3 key phases.
- Target selection
- Surveillance
- The abduction
So how can you avoid becoming a target?
1. Do your homework
Do some research, the more information you have, the better prepared you will be. Who is doing the kidnapping? Who do they target? Where do they operate? What is their modus operandi? Knowledge is wisdom…
2. Situational Awareness
This is the core element behind any safety advice I give to people. Be aware of your surroundings, look for anything out of the ordinary. We have a saying called ‘absence of the normal, presence of the abnormal’. Trust your intuition!
3. Keep a low profile
Walk & talk with purpose & confidence, dress for the environment, avoid overt displays of wealth and aim to draw little attention to your self as possible. Don’t discuss your plans with people you don’t know, be wary of over friendly people and eavesdropping.
4. Vary your routine
Try to mix up your routes, transport, timings & locations. Organised kidnapping gangs will be looking for patterns in your routine, this is to determine the best time & place to carry out the abduction. If you consciously mix things up, it will make you hard to pin down.
5. Minimise your online footprint
Organised gangs will use social media as part of the surveillance process, again, they will look for patterns in your routine. Avoid posting sensitive information, such as photos of places you visit, people you meet or the accommodation you’re staying in.
6. Stay in touch
Ensure you have a check in procedure when you leave & arrive at different locations, or periodically check in to let people know you are safe. Leave a copy of your itinerary with someone you trust, or carry a tracking device which they can monitor your movements from.
Aj Vickers – Prime Media Safety
