Last week we published an article on our surveillance services and focused on Domestic Surveillance, if you didn’t read it take a look, how can domestic surveillance help me
This week we want to focus on Investigative Surveillance, the principles followed are the same.
What is investigative surveillance.
Investigative Surveillance is surveillance carried out by an individual experienced team member or one of our dedicated teams to gather specific evidence in order to prove a specific crime, for this type of surveillance we often have to use a larger team so as not to be compromised.
Is surveillance legal.
It is particularly important for this type of surveillance conducted in a public place, to be in accordance with RIPA - although as a private company this is not actually necessary, but best practice. It may be necessary to follow the subject for a long period of time, whilst in a public place, on foot, in a vehicle, on public transport, entering shopping malls, pubs and restaurants. It is very important to identify people they meet and if possible, record the conversations, but sometimes they meet with people who have nothing to do with the assignment, care must be taken not to identify them, the same with children.
What is the purpose of this surveillance.
A full briefing from the client is essential to establish what they are trying to prove and to ensure this is legal and in accordance with privacy laws and data protection - the Human Rights Act 1998, Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 and The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Specialist equipment.
Our teams use the most up-to-date equipment that can be covertly installed in a vehicle or body worn, so as not to identify them. We have used drone technology on premises that are not easily viewed, with aerial images observing exactly what they are doing.
Investigative Surveillance.
Some assignments can literally go on for weeks, following the same people around for hours on end, from the moment they leave home in the morning until they return again in the evening. It is therefore essential there is no compromise, this is why we would need to use sufficient operatives, to cover any eventuality. If a crime is suspected, it is possible to use a tracking device, but great care must be taken to ensure it is legal and only used as an aid to the actual surveillance.
Market Surveillance.
With our brand protection work, Surelock has worked with the authorities and supplied the very best evidence for them to act, obtaining search warrants and conducting raids. Our teams visit markets, shopping centers, high street stores, warehouses and storages facilities in order to evidence counterfeit merchandise being stored or sold, this is all covertly video recorded and has resulted in some of the largest seizures ever in the UK - Covert test purchases are often made in order to authenticate the product.
Test purchases.
We conduct test purchases for numerous clients, either to establish whether the staff are adhering to company policy, whether any crimes are being committed or if they are counterfeit. These visits are always video recorded so the evidence obtained can be used in any criminal prosecutions, discipline hearings or just for training purposes
Company Infiltration.
We are often asked to assist a company or organisation to establish if there is any wrong doings in the workplace by their staff, this can be identified by the installation of covert camera, although if the problems are serious we would recommend deploying an experienced undercover operative to actually join the company and work alongside existing employees to establish intelligence, then use covert equipment to record this for evidence, it is essential these operatives are debriefed daily and the client kept informed of their findings. Find out more on our company infiltration page.
Penetration Tests.
Penetration tests are assignments carried out by specialist operatives are used to test the security of a client’s premises, to ensure the systems in place and employees and adequately working. An operative will study the premises at busy times and then try to infiltrate the building, bypassing security personnel or control to reach a particular area in the building without challenge. These operations are covertly video recorded for training purposes and to highlight where security needs to be increased.
What intelligence / evidence do we supply.
With all our surveillance operations, we supply a detailed log of events that show the movements, people they meet, times and places, we can also supply an edited copy of this recording. Our evidence can be used in any legal proceedings and the operatives attend court on your behalf.
What are the costs.
We work strictly to an hourly rate, our costs are £60 per hour per operative, plus travel, mileage and necessary expenses.
What should I do next.
If you have these fears do not hesitate to contact us, we will discuss all the options, so you know the costs and exactly what is involved.
You will be in safe hands, so if you have a need for this professional service, please contact us
