Cut Fence and Diesel Smell at an Athi River Godown
At 03:20, a guard on a 45-minute patrol of a fuel and goods godown in Athi River finds a 1.2 m cut in the chain-link fence at the north-east corner. There is a strong diesel smell, fresh footprints in the red soil leading toward the perimeter wall, and a jerrycan lying on its side. The yard lights on that side are out. The guard’s radio has no repeater coverage at the corner, his phone battery is at 12%, and he is alone. The main gate is 180 m away; the fuel depot is 40 m away and dark. The control room answers only on the phone, not radio, and the supervisor is 25 minutes away. The guard has a torch and a baton.
1. What should the guard do immediately, and why?
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The guard should not enter the dark depot area alone or follow the footprints. He should withdraw to a lit position with cover, keep the cut fence in view from a safe distance, and call the control room and police. The call should state the exact location, the cut fence, the diesel smell, the jerrycan and the fact that radio coverage has failed. Control should call the supervisor and fuel manager. The guard should avoid touching the jerrycan, fence or footprints, use the torch sparingly, and note the time he first observed the scene. He should secure the main gate and watch from a safe point. The reasons are personal safety, preservation of evidence, and the likelihood that suspects may still be inside.
2. What should the incident report contain, and how should the scene be protected?
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The report should record the time first observed, exact location, the size and nature of the cut, tool marks if visible, the smell, the jerrycan’s position, the direction and number of footprints, lighting failure, radio failure, phone battery level, actions taken, police reference and witnesses. It should distinguish observation from assumption. Protect the scene by cordoning a wide area with tape or cones, keeping people out, and logging anyone who enters. Take overview photographs from outside the scene if safe, but do not walk through the footprints or move the jerrycan. If an item must be moved for safety, record who moved it, when, and where it was placed.
3. If the guard sees two people near the fuel depot, what should he do?
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He should not confront two people alone at night near fuel. He should stay in cover at a safe distance, observe clothing, height, direction of travel, weapons and any vehicle registration, and pass updates to control and police. He should not pursue beyond the property or use the baton offensively. If they approach him, he should withdraw to a safe room and lock himself in. Fuel vapour creates a fire risk, so he should not use a torch near spilled diesel or create sparks. After the police arrive, he should give a statement and preserve his notes.