There are a huge number of surveillance techniques that I could give you, but as this is a work in progress it will build eventually into a comprehensive guide to surveillance and observation techniques (unlike the d'agostini magazines, you don't have to buy all the issues and a pretty folder for them to fit into, I also will not be providing  components of a surveillance van in each installment, so you will just have to buy your own).

Gather all the information about the target's habits and haunts before you attempt a surveillance. Know the neighbourhood you'll be working. Plan possible routes your target might take. Cover yourself by preparing an alternative plan you can put into action should things suddenly go awry. If you've done your homework, you may be able to reestablish a tail even if you lose it.

Many jobs will not give you the opportunity to get all the information you need, however, you should try to establish as much as you can.  For example find out where they work (at least get the paper to find out) that means that you can work out  a likely route, you can also establish whether the company has car parking, or if you lose the target you will have reasonable idea of the area you will have to search to find their car.

The more research you do the better. You'd be very foolish to go out on a surveillance without knowing the area. Work out where you can sit, where you can be.  Choosing where to park whilst watching is important, if you can park under a tree, on bright days, it is harder to see into a car in the shade, if you have tinted glass it is more difficult still.  Keep your windows clean, because a) it is easier to photograph through and b) it is harder to see through clean windows, most people can't see past their own reflections.

Equally important is learn to sit still, even behind un-tinted glass, most people are un-observant, but the eye is naturally drawn to movement, the less you move, the less you are likely to be seen.

If you are seen (sods law dictates that you will be) it is essential that you have an apparently legitimate reason to be where you are, if you know that you are only going to be there for a single session, claim that you are waiting for the AA or RAC. if you know that you are going to be there for a few days, you will need a better excuse.

One way of being slightly less obvious is to sit in the passenger seat, if anyone asks, you are waiting for the driver to arrive, obviously this is a one shot deal.

If you have tinted rear windows, the best thing that you can do is get out of the car/van and walk away. walk around the block and get in to the rear of the car/van on your return.  If you have an car alarm that you can disengage when you lock the doors then do that when you return, the last thing that you want is your car alarm going off because you are moving about in the back of the car/van.

4x4s and vans are best for surveillance. Get tinted glass so you can sit in the back, virtually unnoticed, most anywhere. I prefer luxury 4x4 or white Vans is they blend in everywhere, 4x4s with big engines are best as they are more nimble and blend in better (they're everywhere) Once you've worked out of a of a 4x4 or van you'll never go back to a car.

Stay on the vehicle's bumper when tailing in the city, and allow a car between you as a buffer in slower areas. There are too many stoplights, stop signs and traffic in the city, making it easy lose the tail.

Lack of dew on a vehicle during morning hours could indicate it was moved sometime that night.

Verify address by looking at the mailbox for a name or peeking at the mail if it's sticking out.

While tailing someone, you notice the person stopping i.e. in front of a house- you (as cover) continue past, turn into an empty drive or the next available street, as if you belong there get out t and walk back. Don't lose sight of person.

Take detailed notes via pen & paper or voice recorder. Write date/times, make & plate of any vehicles there, any vehicle movement, anyone showing up, etc. Good notes are crucial for yourself and for the report you give to the papers. Also good intel, can make it easier if you have to revisit the same target, also in the event of a change of snappers it makes the hand over smoother.

Accurately estimating the height of an individual can be difficult. On occasions you may only have outline details of the target, I have lost count of the number of times the description of a target as average height and build and nothing else. You can get a good idea by comparing the individual's height to that of any vehicle that they get into or out of. This will become easier with practice.

Stake-outs can run many hours and occur in shit situations i.e.no conveniences nearby, so keep an empty 2 litre bottle in your vehicle at all times.

Surveillance involves hours of nothing followed by minutes or even seconds of intense activity and more than a few minutes of paranoia. Rest assured that only the most aware will spot that they are being followed.

Perform a reconnaissance to familiarize yourself with the area before beginning the stakeout. Top off the gas tank in case you have to follow your target a distance. Check all exits of the house, apartment, or office building you intend to conduct a surveillance. Wear comfortable clothing that will blend in, clothes the target will not recognize. Wear sunglasses and a baseball cap to disguise your face and hair.

If possible, park in front of a store, bar, or service station. Slide over to the passenger side or slump down in the back seat. Pretend to be waiting for someone while reading a road map or newspaper.

Surveillance takes time, so relax and learn to be patient. You may be sitting in one spot for a long while. Minimize eating and drinking to alleviate the need to break surveillance to locate a bathroom.

Prepare a cover story in case you're spotted, identified and questioned. The cover story you prepare for the police or a suspicious neighbour may not be a good cover story for your target if he or she spots you.

The following are some steps you can take to decrease the risk of detection

The interior light can be disconnected or switched so that it doesn't come on when the doors are opened, another reason for liking luxury 4x4s they often have a switch on the dashboard to turn on/off all the interior lights.

Depending upon the conditions, turning your lights from side to dipped or back again can change the appearance of a car in the rear view mirror, however, only change from one to the other when out of sight.

If your subject's vehicle doesn't appear to have moved for a couple of days either photograph one wheel or memorise where the tyre valve is, so that you can tell if the car has been moved whilst you are away.

Assuming that you have the luxury of working as a team of two, .When the subject stops his car, one team member should follow on foot while the other parks and observes the subject's car.

When a subject turns a corner, you have two choices. You may keep going straight, cross the intersecting street, and make a U- turn .The target will not be alarmed by a car turning into the street behind him from a direction opposite to the way he was going before he made his turn. Or, you may go straight, cross the intersecting street, and then go around the block.

Avoid Abrupt and Unnatural Movements.

These kinds of movements can attract attention to the surveillant. There are times when it might be better to lose sight of the subject than arouse his suspicion that he is being watched. If a subject suspects that he is being watched, he might test his suspicion by changing his course or by using public transport, when they would normally have walked.

On the other hand, the surveillance must react quickly but naturally to all movements made by the subject. Once again, detailed preparation will assist the surveillant in reacting to the subject's moves. Carrying a sufficient amount of money, including change, to cover bus and cab fare, meals, and telephone calls will eliminate panic responses.

Consider Problems. Any time a surveillant is required to follow a subject into a hotel, cinema, restaurant, lift, or other public conveyance, special problems arise.

The first problem is that you must move closer to him.This reduces the risk of him leaving unspotted through one of the various exits. In an effort to prevent the subject from exiting, the surveillant must enter behind the subject and locate himself to ensure observation of the subject.If the subject enters an elevator, the surveillant should enter the same elevator.Once on the elevator the surveillant should not announce a floor, but should exit behind the subject.

If the surveillant must choose a floor, he should select the top floor.Some surveillant's have a tendency to believe they have been discovered simply because the subject glances their way several times. This tendency must be overcome.

When a subject knows he is being observed, he will normally make it obvious by trying to lose or harass the surveillant.

Types of Surveillance

There are two general types of surveillance.  They are mobile and fixed. Mobile surveillance is commonly called tailing or shadowing. It can be conducted by foot or vehicle or a combination of the two.

This depends on the subject's movements. Fixed surveillance is used when the subject is stationary and all desired information can be gathered in the same location. Even during fixed surveillance, the surveillant may be mobile, moving from one vantage point to another. 

If possible, use two or more vehicles. This increases the odds for success. Teams of two or more in vehicles also increase coverage and allows more flexibility. Preparation is a high priority in vehicle surveillance. You must be familiar with the locale where you will operate. Studying maps and making a ground reconnaissance will assist the driver. The person in the passenger seat can navigate for the driver and assist in any way possible .Having change for toll roads and parking will also ensure continuity of the operation. A vehicle chosen for surveillance should meet the following requirements:

• Be mechanically sound.
• Suit the location it is being used in.
• Have a hands free mobile phone kit.
• Have no identifying marks (crash damage, odd coloured panels etc).

The vehicle should be changed if the surveillance is of long duration.

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