Freephone 0800 542 5253
Previous Assignments
Undercover Operations
The Company have been involved in covert assignments since 1991 with probably the most prestigious operation being when David Crawford worked in the warehouse facility of a blue chip electronics company for a continuous period of 14 months.
During this time all ongoing security issues were reported directly to the companies UK CEO by forwarding daily reports to him and on completion of the operation preparing a final report that included conclusions and recommendations regarding all security matters with full staff analysis.
It’s extremely useful for senior managers to understand what is ‘actually’ happening on the shop floor and how effective their security measures are. For example in the circumstances described above the entire site had a comprehensive CCTV system and a dedicated security team who used metal detectors when staff left the warehouse area. However, it was identified that the post room had unrestricted access to all warehouse operatives and was situated only a few metres from a warehouse exit. Having established the postman was the only person who came and left the secure area without metal detection scrutiny it became apparent the postal system was inadvertently delivering camcorders and other high value electronic equipment to ‘drop’ addresses throughout the UK!
In addition, a further 20 security issues were identified and reported back to the CEO during this particular operation.
Surveillance or Intelligence Gathering ?
As a result of a recommendation the senior
enforcement
officer of a high profile London
Borough Council who had a particular anti
social
problem that was associated with ‘big
business’ approached Crawford Investigations.
After
a telephone conference to outline the
various issues we attended a meeting and
presented
2 options.
The first was a surveillance operation that was perceived to be difficult and time consuming due to no details being available of the perpetrators identity & with limited knowledge of where or when they would strike.
The second option was to make a direct approach to the people ‘managing’ the perpetrators in an attempt to gather intelligence of how the operation worked. This method was thought more likely to yield results within a controlled budget and it was agreed to use the intelligence gathering option.
A virtual business with office premises, a website, realistic product portfolio and relevant advertising was organised after which an approach was made to the ‘management’ company.
As a result of this investigation Crawford Investigations discovered both the identities of who was carrying out the anti social behaviour and the premises they operated from, which in turn allowed direct enforcement against those responsible.
Professional Witness Operations
We carried out our first such assignment in the west end of Newcastle upon Tyne back in 1994. This was a multi agency operation involving the local authority, police and DHSS. Since that time Crawford Investigations have worked with many local authorities and housing associations in the pursuit of tackling anti social behaviour.
As well as infiltrating local communities the operations will usually target specific problems or individuals to allow independent evidence & intelligence to be gathered. The relevant evidence can be then used in the ongoing management of particular issues or to support prosecutions.
Security Consultants
The Company offer a comprehensive security consultancy service with field visits that will be supported by a comprehensive security report.
After one such field visit a client was advised that he had
a ‘blind spot’ in his
CCTV coverage that would allow
rogue staff unlimited access to an overflow store.
It also
became clear that the EPOS system installed by the
client wasn’t being properly
utilised meaning quite
substantial shrinkage would never be detected.
The client himself was due to go on a weeks holiday so Crawford Investigations installed a covert surveillance camera with recording facility that covered the overspill storage area. Within 2 hours of the client leaving the site video footage identified three members of staff including the site foreman loading a hire wagon with pallets of product.
The footage was subsequently given to police who went on to successfully prosecute the staff concerned for the offence of theft at Teesside Crown Court.
© Crawford Investigations
Private Investigators
Contact: 0800 542 5253
