SAS Urban Survival Handbook (108 page)

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  Padded mailing bags—one of the most widely used and ideal ways of disguising an explosive device
  
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  Packages that are unexpectedly heavy for their size
  
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  Grease marks/sweating on packages—it may be caused by old or unstable explosive substances
  
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  A smell similar to almonds or marzipan
  
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  Wire or tin foil protruding from package
  
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  Packages that feel spongy or seem unbalanced in weight
  
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  Excessive sealing tape—it could be there to hold down a spring detonator
  
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  Inaccurate addressing or sub-standard typing
  
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  Excessive postage paid
  
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  Packages containing other sealed containers
  

REMEMBER

Packages may include a series of trigger devices. They do not detonate the explosive immediately, but trigger a time delay in the hope of getting the bomb through the mailroom to its actual target.

If it might be a bomb

• ◑ LEAVE IT undisturbed.
  
• ◑ DON’T cover it or place it in water.
  
• ◑ Inform police/security staff.
  
• ◑ WRITE DOWN all details of packages which have come through the mail—postmark, stamps, how addressed, sender’s name and address, condition. It may help later. If the device detonates, all information may be lost.
  
• ◑ Clear the room/area.
  
• ◑ Open windows. If you cannot, tell colleagues and passers-by to stay well clear of them in case of flying glass.
  
• ◑ Lock the door so that no one can walk in. Do NOT open or attempt to defuse. Leave it to the experts!
  

Vehicle bombs

Terrorists may turn a vehicle itself into a traveling bomb to be driven into or at a target. Alternatively, a car may be parked near a target or left ready to detonate by timer/remote control. Defence against this form of attack can only rely on refusing admittance of unauthorized vehicles to high-risk areas, preventing parking and constant vigilance by potential targets and people who protect them.

Bombs may be fixed to the target’s own vehicle. To do this, terrorists must obtain access. Constant surveillance and secure garaging of vehicles when not being driven deny terrorists access (unless they have infiltrated the target’s security). This may be possible for VIPs or the wealthy, but in cities many vehicles have to be parked in the open and left unattended.

The target or the driver of the vehicle MUST have a thorough knowledge of it to be able to spot any changes. You need an expert knowledge of what the vehicle looks like inside and out, underneath, in the boot and under the bonnet. Always lock your vehicle, with windows and sun roof closed. Leave things arranged inside so that you can see if they have been disturbed in any way. Better still, keep the boot, glove compartment—all obvious hiding places—CLEAR.

Hubcaps are a favourite bomb concealment location—the same make of hubcap is bought, fitted with a bomb and substituted. Discreetly mark your hubcaps and wheels—a tiny dot or scratch will serve the purpose. Line the marks up—if they are out of alignment they must have been removed and replaced by someone.

Fill up keyholes with soft wax. This will do no harm to the lock, but will indicate if anyone has inserted a key. Thin strips of clear tape across door, bonnet and boot openings will leave tell-tale breaks if they are opened.

Before you get into your vehicle ALWAYS carry out a search. A detailed search takes hours, but if you are a high-risk target, a regular search must be done every time the vehicle has been left unattended. The techniques given above save search time—a search is good practice for any vehicle user (especially if you park your car near any potential target) during a period of terrorist activity.

VEHICLE SEARCH

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  Walk round the vehicle to inspect it, WITHOUT touching it
  
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  Look for objects under the vehicle and under the wheel arches—crouch down if necessary
  
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  Look for any signs of adhesive/insulating tape, pins, wire, or other suspicious items
  
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  Look for any signs of entry. Are the tape seals still intact on the door, bonnet and boot?
  
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  Look for fingerprints or smudges on the bodywork. Keep your vehicle clean and polished so that signs of tampering show up.
  
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  Check out the interior through the windows. Is everything inside the vehicle EXACTLY as you left it?
  
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  Look behind bumpers, inside spoilers and around the underside of bodywork—these are common bomb concealment areas
  
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  Check interior again after you have opened the door
  

REMEMBER

A visual check of the underside of your vehicle—places like wheel arches, spoilers and the bodywork—can be made easier and quicker with a simple tool made from a mirror attached to a stick. In some countries such tools are sold by security equipment suppliers. A flashlight can be fitted to give better visibility.

WARNING

If ANYTHING makes you suspicious, do NOT touch any part of the vehicle. EVACUATE the area and call the police.

Expert searches

Detailed searches should ONLY be undertaken by trained specialists. They involve thorough inspections of all parts of a vehicle and must be carried out whenever the vehicle has been serviced, repaired or left unattended.

In addition to the checks already listed, the underside of the vehicle must be inspected thoroughly. ALL parts of the engine and exhaust system must be inspected by someone who is completely familiar with the particular make and model of vehicle. A device may be heat sensitive and will detonate when the vehicle warms up. The boot, spare wheel and tool box should also be emptied/stripped down and searched. The electrical system must be thoroughly checked—bombs are often linked up to the wiring of a vehicle so that they explode when the ignition key is turned or when a particular electrical circuit is operated. ALL wires must be identified.

Once the mechanical/external checks have been made and those areas have been cleared, a thorough internal search must be made. All removable parts of the vehicle interior—upholstery, carpets and seats—must be taken out and searched. Door panels, dashboard and all linings must be checked for tampering—where necessary removed. All storage compartments must be emptied and searched.

REMEMBER

When a vehicle has been given a detailed search and cleared, make future quick checks easier by using anti-tampering devices (see VEHICLE SEARCH panel). ALWAYS keep the vehicle in a secure area. High-risk target vehicles should NEVER be left unattended.

HIJACK/KIDNAP

Terrorists have shown themselves to have little or no regard for human life—this is graphically illustrated by hijacks and kidnappings
of recent years. By kidnapping someone or by taking hostages, in a hijack, the terrorist gains or hopes to gain the advantage or publicity for a ‘cause’ by putting people’s lives at risk.

Hostage!

The terrorists AND hostages are likely to be in a highly-emotional state in a hijack situation. If you are innocently caught up in a hijack, you MUST remain as calm as possible. Everyone is at great risk in such a stressful situation where emotions are at their most volatile.

• ◑ DON’T be aggressive.
  
• ◑ DON’T make yourself stand out. By drawing attention to yourself, you increase the risk of being ‘singled out’.
  
• ◑ Hide or dispose of documents or other items which might increase hostility towards you.
  
• ◑ Cooperate with terrorists in preparing meals, tending the injured and generally looking after others—including the terrorists themselves.
  
• ◑ Avoid eye-to-eye contact with the terrorists.
  
• ◑ Try to reassure any hostages showing signs of strain—make allowances for behaviour caused by stress.
  
• ◑ If a rapport can be built up with the terrorists, ask if conditions can be improved for everyone—blankets to counter cold, for example.
  
• ◑ Drink plenty of water—you need over a litre (two pints) a day. Food intake can be reduced dramatically but water is essential.
  
• ◑ Avoid alcohol—it dehydrates your body AND you need to keep your wits about you.
  
• ◑ Be prepared for difficulties with sanitation, particularly in an aircraft/train/bus, where toilets are not designed for extended use.
  
• ◑ If you understand the ‘politics’ of the situation, do NOT imagine that you could dissuade the terrorists from their cause. It would be safer to agree with them.
  
• ◑ Keep your mind occupied.
  
• ◑ Talk to your captors about personal matters, show them photographs of your children. The more they begin to see you as an individual with a life and relatives or a family of your own, the less you may represent a ‘victim’. The more they identify with you personally, the more difficult it becomes for them to harm you.
  

Rescue

If a rescue attempt is made, get to the floor and use your arms to protect your head (see
Under fire
). Do NOT move until you are told by your rescuers that it is safe to do so. DON’T try to be a hero—rescuers will not have time to make positive identification before shooting to kill. Their priority is minimum casualties—DON’T risk accidental injury. Follow instructions exactly and make an orderly exit as quickly as possible—the aircraft or building may have been wired with explosives. Vehicle/aircraft fuel may be a fire risk.

Kidnap!

Kidnap can only be guarded against by careful and comprehensive security measures. Avoid struggling—you may be injured—but if you can attract attention, witnesses can raise the alarm and give valuable information to the police. Once abducted, stay as calm as possible. Do NOT get aggressive.

Try to work out where you are being taken, look out for identifiable landmarks. If blindfolded or in a windowless vehicle, listen for sounds that might tell you where you are. You can also try to work out your route from the movement of the vehicle. It might help you keep your mind occupied. At best, if your sense of direction is accurate, it might help you if you get a chance to escape.

REMEMBER

Kidnap situations vary widely from incarceration in a windowless darkened cell, to almost normal living conditions. It is impossible to predict/prepare for the experience. One thing to remember at all times is that as a hostage you are more valuable ALIVE.

Getting to know your kidnappers may help you to assess how to behave, but BE COOPERATIVE. The more they can relate to you, the better. You may receive better treatment.