What are the different types of surveillance, and when are they used?

There are many forms of surveillance, whether that be.

• Static Surveillance.
• Mobile Surveillance.
• Foot Surveillance.
• Technical Surveillance.
• Counter Surveillance.
• Anti-surveillance.

Static surveillance is as it sounds. It is surveillance from a static position utilising one operative. This is intended to be used when there is no requirement for a subject to be followed away from a location. So, it could be to gather evidence of.

• Cohabitation of two individuals in a divorce case for Form E (financial) purposes.
• An individual at an address so that legal documents can be served.
• Who resides at an address to identify subletting.
• A person working at a business when claiming benefits.
• An employee meeting a competitor which is a direct conflict of interest.

The list is endless, however it is utilising one surveillance operative within a camera platform, whether that be a vehicle which appears empty or a property to gain the imagery as is required. If individuals or subjects of interest exit the address that is subject to the observations then on a static observation, we do not follow them away, just purely evidence of them leaving.

If there is a requirement to follow a subject or subjects away from a location, then it requires two surveillance operatives as an absolute minimum. This is what we call a mobile surveillance. If the subject is followed away on foot, then this is foot surveillance. The reason it requires two surveillance operatives is that if one vehicle follows another or one operative follows a subject on foot then the subject will very soon become aware of that vehicle or operative. Imagine if when you drive away from your house the same vehicle is behind you all the way to work or your destination. When you return to your vehicle, the same vehicle is behind you. This isn’t covert and is oppressive surveillance like that of the KGB many years ago. If there are two operatives on foot or in separate vehicles, then the operatives can share their exposure or their vehicle’s exposure by handing over to one another. This means the same vehicle or operative won’t do more than one turn with you.

Technical surveillance is the use of a beacon to monitor the movements of a vehicle from afar. GPS vehicle trackers are usually utilised in the Private Investigation industry. These are deployed onto a vehicle covertly and record the location data of the vehicle and allow it also to be monitored live time. This is used as a surveillance tool to identify routine before a surveillance is deployed.

Counter Surveillance is the use of a third party to identify a surveillance. So, this may be a client who believes they may be the subject of a surveillance team. We would then agree a natural route for our subject to walk or drive and either deploy operatives to follow or to choose ‘choke points’ where there are no alternative routes for the potential surveillance team to take. This forces the same operatives or vehicles through a ‘choke point’ where they can be photographed or vehicle details recorded.

Anti-surveillance is where a subject performs certain tactics to identify whether they are subject of a surveillance. This can be performed crudely by for example, looking all around or changing direction, or with more subtlety by using the reflection of shop windows for example. The general idea is not to allow the surveillance team to be aware that anti-surveillance is being performed.

Who do I contact for more information in regard to surveillance?

For further advice and information in regard to surveillance, then feel free to speak to one of our professional team at one of the offices nearest to you.

London Private Investigator – Call the Titan Investigations London Office 020 39046622
Birmingham Private Investigator – Call the Titan Investigations Birmingham Office 0121 7162442
Cambridge Private Investigator – Call the Titan Investigations Cambridge Office 01223 662022
Derby Private Investigator – Call the Titan Investigations Derby (Head Office) 01332 504256
Leeds Private Investigator – Call the Titan Investigations Leeds Office 0113 4574066
Leicester Private Investigator – Call the Titan Investigations Leicester Office 0116 2436520
Nottingham Private Investigator – Call the Titan Investigations Nottingham Office 0115 9646950
Manchester Private Investigator – Call the Titan Investigations Office 0161 3023008
Sheffield Private Investigator – Call the Titan Investigations Sheffield Office 0114 3499400

Alternatively, you can contact us directly using our fully confidential contact form at enquiries@titaninvestigations.co.uk or chat directly using our Live Chat facility and one of our private investigations team will get right back to you.