Identifying suspicious persons

Identification of suspicious persons

The main role of the shopping center should be to observe such people and to ascertain the extent to which the perceived threat is real. Such people should not be confronted if there is a real or perceived threat to the life of the center security guard or that could endanger that of the public. It is extremely difficult to accurately define what constitutes a suspicious action but list below are possible actions which should be observed:

- Persons wandering around the outside of the center and seen at strategic entrances must be observed and if seen on a regular basis, these persons should be reported to the police

- Suspicious persons wandering around the center with clothes possibly concealing weapons or persons carrying large bags that could conceal weapons should be observed and monitored.

- Persons wandering around restaurants, sitting at tables but not ordering from the restaurants should be observed.

- Persons wandering around the banking hall and seen consistently in the area but not executing any banking activities should be observed.

- Groups of people entering the center with clothing that could conceal weapons or with large bags that could conceal weapons should be observed

- Persons wandering around the center not purchasing anything and who are perceived to be observing security should be observed

- Where people enter retailers and banks and order expensive jewelry or make arrangements to return later to draw large sums of money should be asked by the retailer for their ID documents to verify their particulars.

- Public toilets and alleys should be swept regularly by the center and security need to brief the cleaning staff to report any unusual documentation or clothing to security. Such clothing could be stored in these areas by criminals to be used after a robbery.

Information compiled by Business Against Crime

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