Surveillance test

[Greenish]

So a friend of mine is being tested in a few weeks for a new job with nca. Its for the role of observing and surveillance.

There are a series of tests and one of them is that information must be gleaned from a public car park from a parked car - piece of paper on dash type thing. She has an idea of this test as she has been unofficially warned, but still, you never know.

The question is how would you approach this. She has been privvy to previous applicants and has an answer, which seems obvious, but in the interests of expanding options she has asked me to post the question. The test is on the 18 and 19 March so a bit of time to gather ideas.

So how would you loiter in a car park without arising suspicion and what would be your method to get the info whilst being subtle? She also expects that she may be challenged in this process during it, so that also something to think about.

[Glasgowrob]

sit in something salesreppy laptop against the steering wheel phone at the ear coffee in hand.
or a small minibus see plenty of these sitting idle for hours in between bookings
council works van. although doing anything that remotely looks like work would arouse suspicion

[55palfers]

Get a bright high visibility coat, notepad and camera.
Walk around brazenly and look at the car in question along with several others.
Maybe examine some potholes, street furniture, litter.
Nobody will take the slightest bit of notice of them.

[Somewhatfoolish]

Dress up as traffic warden

[konark]

It's paradoxical that no-one notices someone in a hi-viz vest.

[Greenish]

Hi viz is a great idea.

However

This is a solo walk in test - no cars no other people. your walking into a car park or public domain whatever it might be and have to glean info which means spending more time than normal looking at a car which we think has some info on the dashboard

We presume its a car park but we dont know

Bucket and sponge? good idea but again she will arrive with limited props. you cant just go and het a bucket. she has an idea, genius i think - but wanted to see if anyone else thought of it

[rxe]

Borrow a dog. You can do anything while walking a dog.

[Somewhatfoolish]

pretend to have lost keys for car next to it

[Somewhatfoolish]

wait for car owner to come back and go over to them offering to buy their ticket

[Somewhatfoolish]

wait for other car owner to come back and go and hit on them

pretend it's her car

pretend she's seen an overheatin dog inside it and go over to investigate the dog

pretend to be interested in buying the car

set the fire alarm off

[7db]

Crash into the car. Leave a note on the windscreen.

[Somewhatfoolish]

go looking underneath the car for her contact lenses

[sim16v]

Just walk up to the car next to it and point your own keys at it whilst pressing an the/imaginary remote button on them.

If anyone asks, just say your bloody battery on the fob must be knackered.

[Somewhatfoolish]

7db said:

Crash into the car. Leave a note on the windscreen.

Or:

leave a note about someone who crashed into her car

leave a note about a crash she *thinks* happened

[Fozziebear]

Hi-viz and clipboard got me into plenty of places when required, used to bluff that the street lights needed checking in cul-de-sac etc. If it's in an enclosed parking area a bin bag and gloves could be litter picking

[motco]

konark said:

It's paradoxical that no-one notices someone in a hi-viz vest.

[Riley Blue]

White stick and Labrador, no one will ever think you're looking at anything.

[weeboot]

Riley Blue said:

White stick and Labrador, no one will ever think you're looking at anything.

Trying to find your car?

[BelfastBlack]

Put a note on every car windscreen saying your car was broken into on 01/03/17 between 14:00 and 17:00. If anyone seen anything suspicious or unusual please call [false number].

The alternative is flier for a rave/car wash etc under a wiper on every car.

[steveo3002]

id go with the high vis and work boots , then a clipboard or satchel and claim to be a ticket inspector