Wait Out part 1 (true or false you decide!!)

CHAPTER ONE

I hadn’t slept for twenty-seven hours. I was tired and emotionally drained. My watch slid easily around my wrist, my wedding ring threatened to fall off my finger, both were signs of dehydration, signs I’d been used to too many times over the years. Tired or not I’d decided to make the three and half hour drive from Hollyhead docks to Stoke, that way I’d get to see the wife and kids for a couple of hours before reporting to my unit in the south. It was a typically filthy February night, the wind slamming the side of the car with buckets of rain. Twenty minutes from the ferry I was alone, not another vehicle in sight. I glanced into the rear view mirror just to make sure. In the gloom a sunken eyed, long haired, bearded face stared back at me. I smiled to myself, what a hell of a state for a serving British soldier. I’d forgotten what is was like to be clean shaven and wear the Queen’s uniform.

In the summer of 1990, the telecommunication licensing board forced the BBC to move Radio 2 from Medium Wave to FM. From that time on I had a war with my radio, as I tried to listen for more than thirty minutes without having to adjust it to counteract the poor reception. 88-91 FM’s narrow band attracted static like moths to a light bulb. At midnight the battle was in full swing, selection being further hampered by the Welsh mountains, automatic tuning, and the need to keep the car on the road. The radio was winning, in desperation I prodded the band selector hard with my left forefinger and found the BBC’s World Service. The well-practiced announcer’s voice filled the car:

‘TONIGHT IN DUBLIN MICHAEL MAHONE WAS SHOT DEAD AS HE ENTERED A TELEPHONE KIOSK. IT IS BELIEVED THAT MAHONE HAD BEEN HIDING IN THE REPUBLIC FOR MANY YEARS FOLLOWING HIS ESCAPE FROM CRUMLIN PRISON WHERE HE WAS SERVING A LIFE SENTENCE FOR THE MURDER OF A NORTHERN IRELAND POLICE OFFICER AND TWO BRITISH SOLDIERS. POLICE BELIEVE THE PROVISIONAL IRA MAY HAVE BEEN RESPONSIBLE, HAVING CARRIED OUT HIS EXECUTION FOLLOWING AN INTERNAL ROW.’

I was puzzled, this is a ‘load of bollocks’, I thought. The location was right but the name was wrong. Eager to get more information I sent the automatic tuner on its travels, stopping at every encounter with a news reader. None made mention of the killing.
I only heard that report once in my life and to my knowledge it was never repeated.

“ Steen” I said to myself “ you’re dead you bastard”.

Despite the confusion, I was content with the job I’d done, although the announcement left me a little concerned. For the next few miles I tried to put the radio announcement out of my mind, but couldn’t, I had to know. I eased my foot off the accelerator, stretched across to the passenger seat feeling for my mobile telephone. I keyed the first number the cold green keypad light came to life allowing me to quickly dial the rest of the unit’s emergency number. It would have been easier to speed dial but it was against standing orders to have the number stored, although changed regularly the sequence was imprinted in my memory to forget could mean the difference between life and death.

“Hello,” Jenny's familiar soft voice trickled into the earpiece.

“Op’s room please.”

“Wait one, I’ll put you through.”

The line went silent for a moment followed by an ear piercing click as the emergency phone was snatched from its cradle. “Sergeant Davies.”

“Davy,” I said. “It’s Griff.”

“Problems?”

“I’ve just heard a news report on BBC’s world service it mentioned my recent sorte, but the name was wrong. Any thoughts?”

“The media often get things wrong, you know that.”

“Yeh, I know but this doesn’t stack up, I knew the target well, it was definitely the right target.”

“Then don’t let it bother you. You know the score, there’s no sweat here. Where are you?”

“On my way in.”

“It’s probably best if you come straight in, no detours.”

Davy’s pitch changed, it sent a warning message to my brain. “Something’s wrong, isn’t there?”

“Come on in and we’ll talk about it, now’s not the time.”

“I’ll see you later.”

I thumbed the button key to end the call, the line fell silent. I tossed the phone back onto the passenger seat and accelerated away. The tiredness left me. My mind drifted back to the beginning of the operation and then even further. Steen had been around for ever, we both had. According to the intelligence he’d had a hard start in life, but so had I. He was an out and out bastard, an evil piece of shit that needed killing.

Edlington boys are also victims

I'm not condoning what these lads have done but my experience is that boys like these have come from a dysfunctional family background and as such are themselves abused children. You have to ask the question where was the professional help for these children? I've gathered evidence as an undercover investigator for anti-social behaviour. I've seen the most appalling crimes involving beatings and abuse. I've never had a situation where the perpetrators were not known to the local authority and had a long history of dysfunction and were always children at risk. Social Services and the Local Authorities continually let their service users down. I've known of good social workers who have told their managers about the need to take care proceedings and been told to change their reports to reflect a better position than was reality merely to save money! These lads are victims just as much as the children they have abused.

BEAT THE BURGLARS!

As a private investigator I have detained seized and restrained burglars, car thieves, shop lifters and escaping prisoners. I have letters of gratitude from the police, prison service and a bravery commendation from the Crown Court. On at least one occasion I was accused of using 'unreasonable force', but this was quickly dealt with and the criminal received a prison sentence.

What's reasonable? It would not be reasonable to beat someone who clearly posed no real threat to you or was not in a position to defend themselves.

My experience and advice is: use reasonable force it’s sufficient to keep yourself safe.

CONFLICT RESOLUTION

CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN CHILD CONTACT


The Starting point is: does anyone really want to resolve the conflict? Is there a willingness to fix the problem? These may seem silly things to ask but in reality, quite often, resolving conflict means that the warring parties may spend less time together, or not have to communicate as often as they do when in conflict. Conflict can actually be used as a way of keeping in touch thereby not letting go, stalling closure.

If there is a willingness to resolve the conflict then the process should start by taking account of the whole picture and not just your own point of view. This usually involves having to broaden your outlook to take into consideration the other person’s position. One of the major draw backs to this is the assumption that the other person has a brain like yours. They don’t, everyone’s brain is unique, the thought processes are different and to try to get them to process information as you do, thereby coming up with the same reasoning and conclusion as you, is a no brainer.

It usually helps to talk through the needs and concerns of everyone involved. Writing them down gives them a formal feel and allows everyone the opportunity to recognise that their views are properly being taken into the account. It’s important to keep a sense of fairness throughout the negotiations. Look at all the possibilities even the remote ones. Thinking outside the box can often bring about a possible solution. In any event, write down all the possible solution scenarios eventually picking one that gives everyone what they, or at least what they can live with. Keep in mind that everyone should be treated as equal in the process. This is hard if you don’t agree with them. You must keep your feelings under control. It may be worth taking time out if the parties are struggling to come to a united position. Allowing each other ‘emotional calm down’ is an important aspect of negotiation. Allowing and encouraging each person to talk through their feelings and emotions without fear of retribution is the most positive way to work through entrenched positions. Be clear about what the problems are and what needs to change. Do attack the problem but never the person. Work on the positives no matter how slight. Do not allow the negatives to control the discussions. Throughout, keep an understanding of the other person’s position and underpin this by regular acknowledgement of that understanding.

In some cases it may be worth involving a third person: a mediator, but not one that favours a particular side. Any third party should be there only to facilitate good, constructive and positive debate. What you should work towards is a solution that respects the individuals and meets everyone’s needs

Fighting Terrorism

The sun was setting over the hills behind my position. Turf Lodge Estate lay in the shadows shrouded in a golden grey hue, which hid its deprivation. I lay huddled against the wall of sandbags; an uneasy feeling crept over me as the night took hold. The quiet of the observation post added to my apprehension…
Because of its unique location high on the outskirts of Belfast the security forces had long used the electricity sub station for covert observations. The winding road, which entered the estate from the rich countryside, ran just a few yards from the main gate and was a favourite entry and exit point for terrorists.
A section of infantry had set up a vehicle checkpoint around the first bend, out of sight of the estate’s prying eyes earlier in the day. The quiet was disturbed as I heard them pack up and start their vehicles. Within minutes the sound of the engines faded. And a haunting quiet returned.
Instinctively, I searched the sky as my ears picked up the bop, bop, bop as the home made mortars left their drainpipe launchers. Mesmerised, I watched three bombs tumbled out of control towards us . The first hit the sub station perimeter wire and fell to the ground harmlessly. The other two cleared the fence; hit an area of loose pebbles and exploded. The orange flashes sucked the oxygen from my lungs. I threw myself flat onto the floor. The bombs packed with six-inch nails, sent steel and pebbles flying over my body. Jeff hadn’t moved quickly enough: the blast forced him into me. His blood and torn flesh oozed through my fingers as I pushed him off, and placed him into the recovery position. Nails were embedded in his back and legs; some had been forced under his skin, stretching it into grotesque shapes.
Seconds later, the quiet returned only the dust and smell of spent explosives remained to tell the tale. Jeff lay conscious, but without sound or movement. His eyes said it all, the shock showing deep in them.
The medics had been quick to respond. Jeff had been stabilised, and waved to the rest of us, as the doors of the armoured ambulance slammed shut.
I held that scene in my mind as his replacement arrived. Jock McCann was a tall lean man, whose dark bushy eyebrows met in the middle. In our elite unit we worked in small groups of four. Jeff gone, Jock’s presence put us back to strength.
I briefed the new arrival and made my way back to the observation post. Dave Bryant took up his position at the main gate. Jock stayed with the radio, and I lay watching the estate with Andy Hall close to hand. The night took hold. Once again, the quiet set in and the uneasy feeling returned. My senses heightened and I peered into the dimly lit streets, expecting something, but not knowing what. In the background I could hear raised voices. I strained to listen; it seemed that Jock and Dave were arguing. Before I could clarify my thoughts, instinctive reaction, forced me to the ground in response to a sudden sharp crack as a weapon discharged. A second shot rang out. The noise stopped as suddenly as it started. I heard the screams of someone in pain. My thoughts and gaze turned to the main gate and the road leading into the estate. I half expected to see another set of smoking drainpipe weaponry, but there was nothing to be seen. Puzzled, I moved towards the sound of the injured. Two more shots rang out, the bullets passing above my head. The thud as they hit the sandbags confirmed their high velocity. I ran and dived for cover, hiding between the massive electricity generators. By the time the third shot rang out, I’d realised that I was being targeted. I moved quickly dodging in and out of the machinery until I came to rest at the foot of a concrete pillar. I had a clear view of the main gates, which lay fifty foot in front of me. One of them was open the body of the injured man preventing it from swinging shut. He stopped screaming and lay motionless. The sound of his sobbing filled the gap between us. I couldn’t make out who was lying there. I wanted to shout to him, but feared giving my position away. I scanned the area. There’s no cover, what about there, no, not there, no cover, white stone chatter, very noisy, too much of it, silent so much silence every bloody where, no sobbing no movement, my movement; movement means signal, signal means give away position why? Why me? I shouldn’t be here, I should be back at home with my mum, eighteen only eighteen, a boy no man, oh shit, don’t go, stay, stay where you are, it’s safe here. Go you’ve got to go that’s why you’re here it’s what you do, how stupid, how silly, this can’t be true, can’t be right what’s right, other side of left, get your arse in gear Griff go mate go, go on. My fear wrestled with my conscience thought after thought ran through my mind. Suddenly, my training took over; I leapt up from my cover and hurled myself towards the gate. Nothing moved no shots rang out. I pulled the semi conscious figure towards me. Dave’s face was distorted with pain. I pulled his smock open. A trickle of blood ran down from a small hole in the side of his stomach. The smell of his involuntary bowel movement made me heave. I ripped his field dressing from his belt and forced the pad against the wound. I ran to the radio. Jock had gone. I called for assistance and took up a defensive position overlooking the estate. Peering into the dimly lit streets I could clearly make out the figure of Jock as he ran towards a known IRA safe house. Moments later a black taxi arrived and carried him away. Realising that he had defected, I rang off a volley of shots, but to no avail. I watched in disbelief as the taxi headed towards Belfast, slipping through the search light of the advancing helicopter, which, minutes later carried, Dave as he passed over Belfast and out of this life.

HELP BEAT TERRORISM!

AIDE MEMOIRE

The following list gives examples of actions that may be regarded as being suspicious. It is important that you keep vigilant, one piece of action may seem unimportant but when put alongside other “unimportant” information it constitutes a real threat.

TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS THEY ARE THERE TO PROTECT YOU

What to look for:-

Any unexplained interest in the outside of buildings, car parks, delivery gates, doors, entrances.
Groups or individuals taking interest in security provisions.
Anyone taking photographs or video recording (often disguised by second person posing for family photo’).
Disguising physical identity…wearing hoods, hats, turned up collar, dark glasses, motorcycle helmets.
Vehicles parked near to, or outside significant areas for longer that normal periods.
Same vehicles seen in different but significant locations.
Different vehicles same parking positions, same occupants.
People staying in the vehicle for long periods.
Activity not consistent with the location.
Unusual contractor activities.
Unannounced contractors/social workers etc.

If you see something you think is suspect, or see an unusual set of activities report it to your co-ordinator without delay and then write down your reasoning/observations as soon as practicable.

IF YOU CONSIDER THERE IS AN IMMEDIATE THREAT CALL THE AUTHORITIES.

The consequence of a wrong call = a little embarrassment.
The consequence of not calling = Abduction, injury, DEATH!!!

Hostage Survival

Being kidnapped and kept as a hostage is a terrorist act that has been used the world over and continues to be used in an effort to get the authorities to succumb to the kidnapper’s demands. The problem is the authorities will not meet the demands. To do so would show weakness and prove to the terrorists that kidnapping works. Contrary to popular belief negotiations do go on and hostage negotiators work alongside the intelligence services to try to bring a peaceful solution without giving in to the demands. At the same time special forces seek and find teams are deployed to track down the whereabouts of the hostages and prepare for a rescue attempt.Hostage situations vary and anyone one of us could be taken at any time. If it’s you, the fact that you have not been killed in the first place suggests that the kidnappers have some reason to keep you alive, for the time being at least. This fact is the key to your early survival. Because they have a reason to keep you alive they will hesitate before taking your life. From the second you are aware of your kidnap you should be looking for a way to escape. The longer you are held captive, the more difficult it is to escape. In the first moments of capture you will probably be in an area where there is an element of normality, so if you can effect your escape at this early stage the chances are that you can find salvation and help locally, however, once you are taken away from the area you will probably not know where you are or who you can trust if you do escape.Once the kidnappers have detained you it is normal practice for them to restrain you by tying you up and gagging you. Even when this has been done there is the chance of a quick escape. The way you do this is to present parts of your body to be bound in such a way that the binding can be loosened afterwards. Present your hands in front of your body by keeping the heels of your hands together and slightly cupping them. At the same time keep your hands close to your body with your elbows pushed out. This action causes your wrists to part. Binding you in this position allows you to straighten your arms later, which will push your wrists together, loosening the bindings. Flattening your hands, palm to palm will further loosen them until you can wriggle free. If a mouth gag is being used push your chin on your chest and puff your cheeks out. If it is at all possible, keep your teeth tightly closed. These positions will again allow you to loosen your bindings when you draw your chin, open your teeth and stretch your neck to its full extent. If your hands are being tied behind your back present them thumb to thumb with your palms facing outwards and your arms slightly bent. Once again try to ensure that there is a good gap between your wrists. Turning your hands palm to palm and drawing them up your back will loosen the binding and allow you to slip out. Having loosened your bindings you may be in a position to surprise your captors by escaping from them when they are complacent. Running out of a building into a street full of local people will bring immediate attention to your problem. It would be unlikely that your kidnappers would dare to re-take you in full view of the general public.If you have not had a chance to escape in the very early stages of your captivity the chances are that you will be moved from the initial kidnap site in the back of a vehicle, quite often this will be a car. If you have a mouth gag you will probably be made to lie in the well between the front and rear seats and covered over so that you cannot be seen. If you are not gagged you may be sat in the rear of the vehicle with a guard. In both cases think about escaping by loosening your bindings and quickly opening the door and jumping out as the vehicle moving. Clearly you would be foolish to attempt this if the vehicle is travelling at speed. But, in the middle of a city or town, the chances are that the vehicle will often have to slow down to compensate for other road users. An ideal time to jump is when the vehicle is pulling away from a set of traffic lights. Force the door open and throw yourself out of the near-side, making sure you don’t throw yourself under a passing vehicle. You will certainly suffer cuts and bruises but this will be much better than the problems you will encounter from becoming a hostage. Once the vehicle has left the city etc. it will probably be travelling at great speed and in areas where there are few people. If you miss the early opportunity to escape then the chances are that you will have to wait a very long time before you can spot another window of opportunity.Surviving until the window of opportunity presents itself or you are released will be your priority. In the early stages hostages are often very confused and obviously have trouble coming to terms with their predicament. They are bewildered and feel exceptionally vulnerable. They obviously mistrust their captors and, in group hostage situations there are periods when there is a mistrust of ones self and colleagues. Keeping the mind positively active is a very important part of hostage survival. To allow the mind to dwell on negative thoughts will inevitable sap the will to survive. Never let the mind relax, keep it positively active. This is best accomplished by having a personal project. This may be building an imaginary lavish garden, a luxury home, a rocket, in fact anything that is productive. This doesn’t mean just thinking about the building etc. It means planning every minor detail, the materials needed, the human resources, the actual building of it, brick by brick, plant by plant. In the hostage situation the one thing that the captors cannot take away from you are your thoughts, the inner you. You must keep this part of you totally in your control at all times.In isolation, with minimum human contact there is a feeling of hopelessness that you have to overcome. The only emotional support for you, is you! Living without affection of any kind can eat away at you and it is this that you must always guard against. Political hostages are often forced to make public statements, admitting to a crime against the state or its people, or denouncing a country, its people and/or its politics. Not agreeing with the views of your captors and not wanting to make any statements is in some ways accepted and so the isolation, tiredness and uncertainty are used to wear you down to a stage where you will say and do almost anything. The captors will try everything to domineer. But to completely domineer they have to break you. A way of accomplishing this is to threaten to take your life. Having the courage to accept that they may well kill you and being able to live with that thought without fear takes away the most powerful lever the captors have to force you to conform, to do as they say. Quite often when hostages get to this stage and have come to terms with the possibility of their death they have turned the tables on their captors. It can become a battle of wills. The captor determined to break the hostage, to rule not just the body but the mind as well. The hostage, accepting that there is little he can do to stop the punishments on his body, but resisting every attempt to capture his mind. In these situations the captor losses if he takes the hostage’s life. The result is that the captor will continue to try to break the hostage, making sure he does not die for fear of failure. The chances are that you will be held in a building. Probably not far from a busy street or near to someone who can help you? You must constantly review the best action to take to survive your ordeal. You have to be sure that to escape is in your best interests. It may be the case that you are being held in quite decent surroundings and being treated properly. This may be because there are negotiations going on to secure your release. There certainly will be some action being taken to help you from outside agencies but only you can decide whether or not your life is at risk and that escape is a realistic possibility. Having decided that your survival will depend on your escaping you should prepare and plan your escape if that is possible. If not you will have to play the waiting game until the opportunity arises. Your route out of the building may well include having to drop from a window, low roof or wall. Being able to drop and land properly will lessen the risk of re-capture due to injury. When faced with a high drop, look for the softest place to land, if you can try to cushion your fall with clothing, bedding etc. Where you can, ease yourself over the edge of the drop, making sure you are facing the building, keep one hand holding on until your arm is fully stretched. Look down and pick a safe spot to land. Whilst still holding on, place your free hand on the wall and push away from the as you let go. The push should be enough to keep you clear from hitting the building during the descent. It should also spin you a little so that you face away from the building. Keep looking at the spot you intend to land on. Keep you ankles and knees pressed together and your legs slightly bent at the knees. Push your chin onto your chest and keep your teeth together. Pull both of your hands up to the side of your head. Position yourself to land with the balls of the feet landing first. Do not land heels first. As soon as your feet hit the ground, force your knees to the side. This move combined with the forward force of your body will turn you in such a way that you will roll onto the floor, thereby spreading the impact. By doing this your body will gradually take the force of the landing and greatly reduce the chance of injury. Once you are safely on the ground make good your escape. Tips to avoid becoming a hostage.• Be aware that you could be a target and avoid bringing undue attention to yourself.• If you are in a foreign country dress down and avoid any conflict or debate, especially on the subjects of politics, religion and race.• Do not drive around alone, especially in a local hire car or a car showing foreign license plates.• Only use approved Taxicabs.• When you are on foot face oncoming traffic. This will lessen the risk of a car full of kidnappers coming up from behind you without you knowing, and taking you from behind.• Change your daily routines regularly to make it difficult for anyone to plan your kidnapping.