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Even a cursory glance at the newspapers on virtually any day of the year will suffice to remind security professionals of the ever-present threat posed by terrorist groups originating from all parts of the globe. The incidence of bomb attacks, assassinations, kidnappings and other acts of a similarly violent nature is now so great that many go unnoticed by a population that has largely become anaesthetised by daily reports of appalling outrages.

Likewise, criminal activity has burgeoned to the point that, in many cities, it's no longer safe to walk the streets or drive high status vehicles. Incidences of violent crime – in particular car jacking – have increased dramatically, with an alarming rise in the number of criminals prepared to use either knives or firearms to further their objectives.

In such a climate, it's perhaps not surprising that there has been a compatible increase in security awareness. Concerned by the risks permeating every level of our daily lives, we all now employ basic security procedures in the home and office environments alike that would have been unthinkable in years gone by.

Along with that has come the identification of areas of particular risk, as well as more specialised protective measures to counter these threats. One such area under consideration is that of mobile security.

Travelling means vulnerability
Experience in many countries has shown that the majority of kidnaps or similar assaults are carried out while the victim is travelling on the road. Accordingly, mobile security has become the most important constituent of many executive security programmes. Training, preparation and effort is therefore required to reduce the risks.

In itself, the phrase 'mobile security' is a wide-ranging one, encompassing many skills that interlock into what might be termed an 'integrated system'. However, each facet must be understood by both executives and chauffeurs alike in order to prevent a weak link from developing in an otherwise strong chain. Weak links are, after all, easily spotted and thereafter exploited.

The threat of 'car jacking' primarily targets the executives of multi-national corporations working in high risk areas, members of wealthy local families and businesses and, of course, celebrities. Political and diplomatic figures may also be at risk from terrorist kidnappers, although the incidence of such attacks against politicians has declined as a result of resilient and stringent policies adopted by most Governments.

Over 80% of all kidnap and robbery attempts occur while the victim is travelling by road, while the majority of such ambushes take place in the vicinity of either the victim’s residence or office block. This is attributed to the victim being at their most

It should be noted that the threat to specific classes of individual will vary according to prevailing local conditions (ie terrorists' aims and strategies and police efficiency, etc), although the individual profile will usually be the deciding factor.

Over 80% of all kidnap and robbery attempts occur while the victim is travelling by road, and the majority of such ambushes take place in the vicinity of either the victim's residence or office. This is attributed to the victim being at their most vulnerable while travelling, and kidnappers are often able to predict their target's movements by monitoring their routines (particularly when they're arriving at or departing from regular destinations).

Increasing your awareness Kidnappers will need to bring their intended victim's car to a halt or at least slow it down to enable the abduction to take place. Accordingly, the prime objective of security team members being trained in defensive driving in an anti-kidnap context is to prevent this from occurring. Training also increases awareness of local surroundings (ie unknown vehicles and loitering youths).

The trained defensive driver should also bear one salient point in mind. Most assailants only want the principal protagonist. That usually means that all others in the vehicle are surplus to requirements – and, therefore, expendable! Thus it really is in the driver's best interests not to be caught or stopped.

A good course on defensive driving for those members of your security operation tasked with this particular job will offer a sound overview of the theory behind the craft. It will look at the law, basic policy and guidelines. What are the basic principles of road craft? What makes a good driver?

Drivers need to stay alert at all times when they're conveying an important passenger (or passengers). How to accelerate under a pressure situation, using the gears and breaking correctly, steering, skidding, positioning, cornering and overtaking. These are all the basic manoeuvres that should be taught in detail.