AIM: To understand the need for and process of route selection

Intended learning outcome: By the end of the session trainees will be able to:

1. Explain the need for route selection and planning

2. Explain the need for assessing risks associated with selecting routes and what
factors must be taken into account
3. List the considerations when selecting modes of transport
4. Explain the relationship between route selection and methods of transport
5. Demonstrate the ability to read and interpret a range of maps
6. Describe the range of technological tools used in route planning
7. Explain environmental factors to be considered when planning and timing a
route
8. Describe a range of factors that may impact on operational planning e.g.
timetables, festival days
9. Produce a primary and secondary route plan.
 National Occupational Standards:

PCP 2 Plan and prepare to minimise threat and risk to Principals.

PCP 7 Maintain the safety and security of Principals whilst in transit

Employment NTO

SAS 8 Use IT to support own role.

 ROUTE SELECTION

“Routine is the Biggest Threat to Security”

General background
Whilst in broad terms a Principal is vulnerable to kidnapping or
assassination whilst located or in transit - evidence has shown that
more attacks now take place while the Principal is in transit with 80%
of kidnappings occurring in transit close to his residence or office

It is critical therefore, that whatever the journey, a very basic

preventive tactic is to vary your route and timings of commuting.
Varying routes demands an appreciation of the alternatives in
order to weigh up their pros and cons before deciding upon any
of them. The thorough planning and reconnaissance of
alternative and escape routes serves to:.
 ROUTE SELECTION

1.Make it easier to co-ordinate avoidance patterns whilst on

route, that are in tune with the overall protection plan

2.Ensure the Principal becomes familiar with the territory

between office and residence, should he, at any time, be on
his own and needs to take evasive action. This will acquaint
him with safe havens such as; police, fire and ambulance
stations and escape routes such as side streets and roads
that can only be gained through ‘local knowledge’.
There is often a false sense of security whilst travelling in a vehicle.
We have abandoned, (along with our Principal), the in-depth security
of the residence, place of work along with the sophisticated security
devices and additional benefits of a high number of people, and now
find ourselves in a non-hardened inflexible vehicle convoy. At the
mercy of speed limits, traffic conditions, weather, road works and not
so natural hazards, these risks rise considerably whilst in transit

We now need to mitigate that increased risk by imaginative, detailed

planning and reconnaissance of potential, alternative routes to and
from the venue(s) as well as consider using other methods of
transportation such as planes, trains or boats

Journeys fall into three main categories:

1.Daily
2.Short notice
3.Special or specific.
 General Principals of route selection and planning:

1.Avoid routine
2.Insist on accurate timings (not always possible)
3.Allow a route that allows the maximum best speed (shortest not
always safest)
4.Apply the ‘need to know’ rule
5.Correct vehicle and mode of transport choice for the journey.
(Train or flight may be safest option)
6.Plan secondary routes (and look for escape routes at any VP’s)
7.Have sufficient men for the task
8.Use two vehicles as well as the SAP.
 PHASES OF PLANNING

Phase1 - Route selection.

Carry out a map appreciation of the area; consider
computerised route selection (Google Earth / Falcon View).
Always select if possible the fastest, safest route. Always
select alternative and escape routes. During this phase you
will make the decision on what mode of transport you are
best using based on the threat, timings, location,
accessibility, availability, etc

Phase 2 - The Recce.

Drive the whole length of the route to the venue. Drive as if
you had the Principal with you. Time the route carefully and
the exact mileage covered. Attempt to perform the recce at a
similar time and day of the actual journey proposed in order
to be able to estimate volume of traffic.
Phase 3 - Planning stage.

Complete the linear route cards (example later in this

chapter). Highlight vulnerable points and the exact location
of embus and debus points. Spot maps are excellent when
planning routes and also a superb aid if forced to change
route whilst on task for any reason

Phase 4 - Organising security

Use of outside agencies / Spot maps / Report lines / Nick

numbers.
 PRIMARY AND SECONDARY ROUTES

▪ “THE PRIMARY ROUTE MUST HAVE ACCESS TO THE

SECONDARY ROUTE”.
Vulnerable points and chock points

1.Heavy traffic 10.Thick shrub and trees

2.Traffic lights 11. Gradients

3.Quite unlit areas 12. High banks

13. Known high risk areas
4.Roundabouts and junctions
5.Overlooking features 14. One way streets

6.Tall buildings 15. Arrival departures points

7.Tunnels 16. Large hoardings

17. Roadwork’s.
8.Bridges
9. Level crossings
 ROUTE SELECTION THEORY

THE PROGRAMME

1.Where?
2.When?
3.What?
4.Timings
5 Locations
6.Routes - known - unknown
7.Mode of transport

THE JOURNEYS

1.Regular Routes
2.Unknown Routes
3. Special.
RECCES
1.Attention to detail
2.Accurate timings
3.Route recces
4.Liaison
5.Orders

ROUTE RECCES
1.Equipment Required for Recce
a. Recce report / route card
b. Maps (large scale / town)
c. Stationery
d. Dictaphone
e. Camera
f. Camcorder
g. Watch.
REGULAR ROUTES

1.Personal security
2.Clear routes
3.Limited recce / route card required

UNKNOWN ROUTES

1.Full drive / walk by team

2.Full recce report
3.Full route card (Tulip)
4.Good map appreciation
5.Check programme for accuracy (are timings accurate,
realistic?)
6.Comms check
7.Recce main routes and alternatives
8.Drive route at same time of day.
WHO SHOULD CARRY OUT RECCES?

1.Drivers of VIP
2.Drivers of PES
3.Drivers of SAP
4.BG, TL, SAP I/C must Recce each location they will visit
5.All of CP team SHOULD Recce all routes if time available

LOCATIONS
1.Full Recce report for all locations
2.Embus / Debus points (sketch/photos)
3.Entry / Exit points
4.Vulnerable points
5.Safe room 6.ERV
7.Actions on
8.Comms check
9.Car parking / security.
LIAISON

1.Organiser / Planner of Event / Manager

2.Local Police / Special Branch
3.Other CP Teams
4.Airport / Port Police

A GOOD ROUTE RECCE SHOULD INCLUDE:

1.Accurate timings
2.Route card
3.Embus / debus points
4.Safe houses, grid & contact number
5.Danger points
6.Diversions, detours, road works
7.Places of interest (check Principals profile).
SAFE HOUSES
1.Local Police Stations
2.Military Bases
3.Hospitals
4.Somewhere known to you within 5 - 10 minutes

CHECKLIST
1.Reception Area
2.Where will VIP go?
3.Emergency Exits
4.Emergency Procedures
5.Alarm Systems
6.Safe Rooms
7.Other visitors
8.Private rooms
9.Toilets
10.Name, number, contact
11.Any new staff?
12.Any special events on day?
13.Can tickets be bought beforehand?.
 AIDS TO ROUTE FINDING

In today’s technological advances there are a number of produces that

can help us plan a route:

1. GPS
2. Route finder
3. Auto route
4. Route 66
5. Google Earth
6. Falcon View

However this will not take the place of the ability to read a map. Town
maps are normally to a scale of 1:25:000 which gives you an accurate
state of the routes available

With a good map recce you can assess the primary and secondary
routes. And also with a bit of mathematical work you can gain the
distance and time of travel.
 THE LINEAR ROUTE RECCE CARD
Venue
Venue on left – Delta3
Dobbins Bar
Turn turn at lights –
8.2km 2nd exit

Glengormly junction
2nd exit

Delta 2 – Cottage
High Ground – 3.6 – 3.9km

Antrim Hospital – 2.5km

Antrim Police Station – 2km

2nd exit

Straight over at traffic lights Residence

19
Serial Time Miles Instruction Distanc Remarks
e
1 0915 0.0 Belfast Int Airport Arrivals 87 yards Main arrivals

2 0915 0.1 Bear right onto local road 32 yards

3 0915 0.1 Bear right North-West 21 yards

4 0915 0.1 Bear left North onto local road 164 yards

5 0915 0.2 Bear right North onto local road 32 yards

6 0915 0.2 Bear right East onto local road 0.2 miles

7 0916 0.4 At roundabout take 2nd exit 21 yards Roundabout

8 0916 0.4 Exit roundabout onto A57 1.4 miles Ballyrobin road

9 0919 1.8 At roundabout take 3rd exit 65 yards Roundabout

10 0919 1.8 Exit roundabout onto A26 2.8 miles

11 0924 4.6 At roundabout take 3rd exit 174 yards

12 0925 4.7 Exit roundabout onto B101 6.8 miles Dundrod road

13 0926 11.5 Continue on A501 0.2 miles Stoneyford

14 0926 11.7 Bear right onto B101 2.6 miles Poundpark

road
Serial Time Miles Instruction Distanc Remarks
e
15 0931 14.2 At roundabout take 2nd exit 43 yards Roundabout

16 0931 14.2 Exit roundabout onto local road 54 yards

17 0931 14.3 Bear left onto local road 21 yards

18 0931 14.3 At roundabout take 1st exit 10 yards Roundabout

19 0931 14.3 Exit roundabout onto local road 21 yards

20 0931 14.3 Continue South on Thiepval Road 0.4 miles

21 09.35 14.7 Bear right onto local road 54 yards

22 0935 14.7 Bear right onto local road 43 yards

23 0937 15.9 Turn left onto local road 32 yards Airport grounds

24 0938 15.9 Arrive Airport

 SUMMARY

“ROUTINE IS THE BIGGEST KILLER!

” Because of this FACT you must ensure that you avoid setting
a pattern that may well compromise the protection operation
and worse – get you or the Principal KILLED!.
QUESTIONS?

23