How to deal with Lifts & Escalators

In this excitng on-location episode of Titan PI TV, your host Simon Henson takes you through the tactical challenges of using Lifts (Elevators) and Escalators during a live surveillance operation. Shot on location in Derby City Centre, this episode is a follow-up to the previous feature on “How to Deal with Department Stores in Foot Surveillance” and dives deeper into the specific techniques used when dealing with lifts and escalators—two of the most difficult and risky elements for surveillance operatives.

Why Are Lifts and Escalators So Challenging for Surveillance Teams?

Lifts and escalators introduce significant hazards in surveillance operations. These elements pose challenges for maintaining visual contact with the subject while managing proximity and avoiding detection. In this episode, Simon explores these key issues and provides step-by-step strategies to navigate these obstacles efficiently.

Key Topics Covered in This Episode:

1. Navigating Escalators During Surveillance:
   • Maintaining Distance: One of the most critical aspects of surveillance on escalators is maintaining the right distance. Simon demonstrates how to balance being close enough to keep visual contact but far enough to avoid suspicion.
   • Eye Line Management: Escalators make it difficult to control your line of sight, as both you and the subject are constantly moving. Simon shares tips on how to position yourself so that you can monitor the subject effectively from different vantage points.
   • Dealing with Unpredictable Stops: What happens if the subject stops midway on an escalator or at the top? Simon walks you through scenarios where a subject’s movement could take a sudden turn, and how to adapt quickly without alerting the subject to your presence.
2. Tactics for Using Lifts During Surveillance:
   • Avoiding Lift Traps: Lifts are one of the trickiest areas to handle in a surveillance operation. Being stuck in close quarters with your subject can easily give away your intentions. Simon explains techniques on how to decide whether to enter the lift with the subject or wait for the next one, as well as how to predict the floor they may exit on.
   • Covert Lift Entry and Exit: Simon shows how to discretely enter and exit lifts in a way that keeps you under the radar, without drawing the attention of the subject or nearby bystanders.
   • Team Communication Inside Lifts: Simon explains how operatives should communicate covertly when in a lift. Whether using hand signals or subtle verbal communication, coordinating with your team is crucial for a smooth transition between floors.
   • Managing Sightlines: Once inside the lift, the challenge is to discreetly keep an eye on the subject without making direct eye contact. Simon walks through subtle techniques like using reflections in lift doors or positioning yourself at the right angle.
3. Handling Complex Multi-Level Stores:
   • Coordinating with a Team: In a department store with multiple floors, it’s easy to lose your subject if they enter a lift or ride an escalator. Simon shares practical insights on coordinating between team members, positioning operatives on different floors, and preparing for quick exits.
   • Pre-emptive Planning: Before entering environments with lifts and escalators, it’s essential to have a strategy in place. Simon stresses the importance of pre-planning and using reconnaissance techniques to understand the layout of a store or building and anticipate potential movements of the subject.
4. The Importance of Discretion:
   • Blending In: In high-traffic areas, it’s easy for an operative to stand out if they’re too focused on the subject. Simon discusses techniques for blending into the crowd, pretending to browse products, or using reflective surfaces to keep an eye on the subject while remaining discreet.
5. Reacquiring a Lost Subject:
   • Tactics for Reacquisition: Should you lose the subject in a lift or escalator scenario, Simon shares tried-and-tested methods for quickly reacquiring the target. He demonstrates how to track likely exit points and discusses the importance of staying calm and regrouping with your team to pick up the subject’s trail.

Practical Demonstrations in Derby City Centre:

Throughout the episode, Simon takes viewers through practical, real-life examples, showcasing these techniques in action. You’ll get a clear, step-by-step walkthrough of how to follow a subject on escalators and through lifts while avoiding detection, all shot on location in bustling Derby City Centre.

Interested in Surveillance Training?

At Titan Surveillance Training, we offer specialized courses to equip you with the skills needed to navigate real-world surveillance operations like these. From mastering foot surveillance to learning advanced techniques for lifts and escalators, our comprehensive training will prepare you for even the most complex scenarios.

Stay Tuned for the Next Episode:

Make sure to catch the next episode, where Simon will dive into even more surveillance tactics and strategies. Whether you’re a budding investigator or a seasoned professional, this series provides you with invaluable insights into the world of covert surveillance.

Looking to start or further your career in surveillance? Titan’s industry-leading 5-Day Surveillance Course is the perfect opportunity to learn from the best in the field. Visit our website for more information!