Suspicious packages can be encountered in a number of different situations. These packages may be delivered to a home or business address, or located in public or private areas. Given the massive increase in online retail, and the associated increase in package delivery, it is critical that everyone has an understanding of how to identify, and correctly deal with, a suspicious package.
Intelligence agencies around the world have concluded that many packages that are deemed suspicious share many similar characteristics. Packages that exhibit these characteristics should not be touched, and definitely not opened, with relevant escalation procedures activated, including immediately reporting the item to a supervisor/manager, security and/or police.
Suspicious Package characteristics include;
- strange noises
- strange smells – like chemicals or cleaning products
- excessive wires sticking out of the package
- extensive postage stamps
- badly spelled words
- rough and uneven appearance
- no discernible purpose – received from an unknown individual, with no return address
