Reports are claiming that the financial health of the UK and the World, are set to look pretty gloomy in the near future. A McKinsey article estimates that there are a potential 7.6M jobs classified as “at risk”, 50% of which lie in the lower paid category of under £10 per hour.
With the potential for high redundancies and a tough economic climate on the near horizon (factors the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have linked historically to uplifts in crimes such as Robbery, homicide and vehicle theft, 2008 crisis) if you haven’t already started to consider the Post COVID 19 threat landscape, now is perhaps a good time to be assessing how this potential change in environment might impact you and what you can do to minimise your exposure in relation to your security.
A key element to staying safe and secure is a risk led approach. The ability to detect, predict and respond to changes in threat and circumstance, escalating security measures and protocol when required and reducing when not.
Action needn’t always be drastic, but considered and proportional. It will vary by location and a risk-based approach based on educated assumptions will help you plan and prepare for the worst, while hoping for the best.
FUTURE RISK LANDSCAPE
Based on experience and predictions from the News and articles which looked at the impact of the crash in 2008, I would be working on a landscape of financial difficulty and increased un-employment. This could lead to an overall environment or pockets, where wealth, success and overt displays of wealth become less tolerated and accepted
With that in mind, this article will look at mitigating this risk in relation to individuals and families.
Those who are successful, perhaps perceived as “Rich” to others may notice subtle changes in atmospherics. For example, if driving a nice car, you may notice longer glances with a more hostile undertone. You may be more likely to be targeted in non-life threatening, but unpleasant actions such as road rage, gesturing, verbal abuse, confrontation, spitting (person and vehicle) up to acts of vandalism on vehicles left unattended.
In addition to this there may be an increased likelihood of being targeted by crimes such as vehicle theft, burglary and robbery. Typical tactics have involved following individuals from known high wealth hangouts to target them at home.
PROFILE IS KING
One of the most effective tools, by far, that I have employed over the years is the use of “profile.” In this instance we will look at how you can manage your profile in order to draw less attention and effectively hide in plain sight.
Having assessed the potential change in landscape above, profile is a tool which you can use to effectively prevent and mitigate many of the potential risks you may face. With just a little thought and imagination this a cost-effective, often no cost tool can make you feel more secure and relaxed.
Taking our security chauffeur service as an example. This is a proactive chauffeur service with a foundation in security. Unlike a regular chauffeur service, the aim of our service is to facilitate our clients and maximise their productivity, while simultaneously considering their safety and security at all times.
One of the ways we do this is through profile. There are always constraints, but small actions can have a big impact. For example, not hanging around the door in an expensive car at a collection point, but timing a smooth, efficient pick up reduces the time you have to draw attention.
Matching our clients dress is another way. There's very little natural about one person dressed casually with another wearing a suit with a hat.
Let’s look at some different examples of profile and how they can enhance security in an austere climate.
What is your vehicle’s profile?
Nice cars attract attention, especially when parked. You don’t necessarily have to sell your pride and joy, but considering when, where and how you use it will maximise your enjoyment and reduce attention.
For example, taking your sportscar for a blast in the countryside to enjoy would carry much less risk than taking it to Tesco to do the shop or leaving it in parked on the high street.
Looking at chauffeuring, lowering the profile of your vehicle may help you blend in with the crowd rather than standing out. The Mercedes S-Class offers class leading luxury but is much more commonplace than a Bentley Mulsanne and looks similar to the smaller E-Class.
What are you doing?
The actions you carry out can easily highlight you.
Being seen with a chauffeur can be indicative of wealth and again attract attention. If you use a chauffeur, they should already be thinking of ways to reduce your profile, but you might like to consider the following.
Sit in the front to create a more normal vehicle profile. The human eye is drawn to things which look different.
You may choose to operate the doors yourself where appropriate, this will also expedite getting in and out of the vehicle.
The places you go may well be known for attracting wealthy individuals and as such could be targeted to find potential victims. Not visiting these venues will reduce your risk, or lower your profile while visiting by one of the other methods, putting you lower on the target list.
How do you look?
How you look and dress is a great indicator of potential wealth and none more so than jewellery and watches which can highlight you as a target.
Already there is a strong trend of theft of high value jewellery on the street in Cities like London. Avoiding or considering where and when you wear expensive jewellery or the use of dressing down, will help you to blend in.
Carrying expensive brand shopping bags when shopping will again highlight you and could increase the potential of snatched bags and robbery or being selected to be targeted later. Consider if you could collect these items later or if you use a driver, if they collect these at a later date or time on your behalf.
As a business we are constantly looking for changes in risk landscape and threat to our clients. A prevent strategy is infinitely preferable to a post incident, reactionary approach.
Conducting an honest appraisal of your life and your profile now, could significantly help you reduce the likelihood of a bad event or negative impact in the future as well as allowing you to enjoy life more and feel more comfortable.
Trends discussed in the UNODC were different for different regions in the World. Perhaps crime in the UK will spike, perhaps it won’t, extra consideration should be given to travel overseas when travel re-opens. The reaction to financial pressures could differ in severity dramatically from country to country.
If you would like to discuss your current situation or potential concerns, get in touch with us today on 0333 3056615 or [email protected], we would be delighted to help.
