Kidnapping, Restraint and Hostage Taking

Due to your personal and/or professional circumstances, you and your family may be at a higher risk of being affected by a serious offence like kidnapping, hostage taking or extortion. Experience shows that these crimes are often well
prepared by the perpetrators. The offender might take advantage of the victim’s routines or habits in order to identify opportunities for an attack

Understanding this will help you identify any weak spots in your routines and take steps to reduce the risk of becoming a victim. This also applies to spontaneous crimes such as robberies.

Protect your information

Prevent criminals from finding out anything that might make you their target. Overhearing your conversations in public or on a mobile phone can reveal a lot about you.

You should keep all documents and your schedule safe. Even discarded documents or invoices can be used to gain information, so destroy them thoroughly. Your appointments and absences should not be known to outsiders and should not be disclosed by family members, employees or an out-ofoffice message from your e-mail account.

In the case of unusual or repeated enquiries, notify your organisation’s safety officer or the local security agency. Consider whether your home address and
telephone number need to be listed in the telephone directory, the Internet, telephone lists of your workplace, membership lists, etc. Use your company address for business correspondence, registration purposes, etc.

Be cautious about providing information about yourself on the Internet, e.g. in social networks. It can also be used as a source of information by criminals.

You are most vulnerable on the way to and from your vehicle and home. Minimise the risk by being extra alert and moving swiftly. Have your key ready when you approach your car or home. Ensure that you are given quick access at gates, for example, by calling ahead.

At home, arrange for some activity during your absence like having the blinds and lighting used, preferably at varying times. Have advertising material and newspapers removed your from letter box.

Security at home

Your home should be well protected against unauthorised entry. New locks should be installed when you move in or if a key is lost. Never leave a key outside. Repair any defective lighting as soon as possible. A video or audio intercom combined with a door limiter and spyhole can help you control access to your home.

You may consider having your house fitted with an alarm system. You should contract a reputable and, if possible, certified security company and know what to expect if the alarm is triggered.