HOT Principles

If you believe you have spotted something suspicious, remember the HOT principles:

Hidden?
Has any attempt been made to conceal the item from view or place it where accidental discovery is unlikely? Innocent items are not usually hidden deliberately. Explosive devices are not usually left in the open.

Obviously suspicious?
Does it look like an explosive device? Does it have wiring; circuitry; a power supply or something that may appear to be explosives attached to it? Has it been found after a suspicious event? Does it look like any of the items you have seen during training or security briefings?

Typical of the environment?
Is the item typical of what you might reasonably expect to find in that location? For example, lost property is often found in locations where people congregate or wait before moving to a new location?
If you decide to report the suspicious item to police make of note of the following

• WHAT is it? Prepare a description of the item. What does it look like?
• WHERE is it? What is the best means of approach. Are there any obstacles or nearby hazards?
• WHEN was it found? Do you know when it wasn’t there? Has it been moved since it was found?
• WHY is it suspicious? What parts of the HOT protocol makes you think it is suspicious? Can the discovery be linked to earlier reports of suspicious activity?
• WHO has seen it? Keep any witnesses available so they can report what they saw.