Tiger Kidnap
Tiger kidnap involves the short-term hostage taking of family members of someone who has immediate access to cash or valuables. The captives are frequently held overnight and the aim of the criminals is to frighten their victims to such a degree that they will not contact the Police, even when they have an opportunity to do so.
Read our crime prevention advice regarding tiger kidnaps (PDF, 40.2 KB)
If a kidnap occurs
If you or a colleague / friend / relative has been kidnapped it takes great courage to report the matter to the Police. The criminals depend on victims being so fearful for their family that they will not report it until some time after the proceeds have been handed over and the criminals have escaped. This means trusting the criminals more than your colleagues or the Police.
The Police have extensive experience of dealing with serious incidents where lives may be in danger. If a kidnap in progress is reported or discovered, the priority is always the safety of the victims and the Police will not undertake operations, which would be likely to increase the risks of harm or injury to them. There is a tried and tested system in place for dealing with tiger kidnappings, which has been so successful in the past that, for a number of years, these crimes did not occur. This system has been reviewed, improved and updated and you can be sure that the matter will be dealt with by senior, experienced officers, from the outset.
Remember; the Police will not arrive at the victim’s house with lights and horns blazing or do anything to provoke a hostage situation.
If you would like advice on this, or any other crime prevention matter, contact your local Crime Prevention Officer. Their assistance can include visiting your home and business to advise you on security measures which best suit your particular circumstances.
