Covert Tracker Stalking: Lessons from a Former Army Colonel’s Case
A stalking case involving a concealed tracker placed in a former partner’s car demonstrates how readily available technology can be misused to monitor another person’s movements.
Bournemouth Crown Court heard that retired British Army colonel Terry Southwood placed an AirTag in his former partner’s vehicle after their relationship ended. He pleaded guilty to stalking and received a 12-month community order, unpaid work, rehabilitation requirements and a five-year restraining order.
The case should not be viewed simply as a story about one tracking device. It illustrates how covert tracking may form part of a wider pattern involving repeated contact, unwanted visits, monitoring and attempts to maintain control.
For anyone who receives an unexpected tracking alert or suspects that a vehicle has been accessed, the surrounding behaviour and immediate safety risk are as important as locating the device itself.
How the tracker was identified
The court heard that the victim received an alert on her phone indicating that an AirTag was moving with her. She traced the apparent signal to the vicinity of her vehicle but was unable to locate the device physically.
Southwood subsequently admitted placing it in the car. The tracking formed part of a broader course of conduct that included repeated messages, letters and unwanted visits.
This sequence highlights an important practical issue: receiving an alert does not necessarily mean the person affected will immediately find the device.
A tracker may be concealed:
- beneath interior trim;
- inside the boot or spare-wheel compartment;
- behind body panels;
- under seats or carpets;
- within storage areas;
- beneath the vehicle;
- inside another object routinely kept in the car.
The method of concealment may depend on how much access the person responsible had to the vehicle.
Why vehicles are vulnerable to covert tracking
Vehicles are common targets because they travel predictably between homes, workplaces and frequently visited locations.
A concealed tracker may reveal:
- where someone lives;
- where they work;
- when they leave or return home;
- regular journeys and appointments;
- locations visited repeatedly;
- where a vehicle is parked overnight;
- whether someone is travelling alone.
Consumer trackers such as AirTags do not operate in exactly the same way as conventional cellular GPS trackers. However, research indicates that even delayed location information from item-tracking networks can allow significant parts of a person’s movements to be reconstructed.
A person concerned about tracking should therefore avoid assuming that a device is harmless simply because it does not provide constant real-time location data.
Warning signs of possible vehicle tracking
Possible indicators include:
- an unwanted-tracking alert on a phone;
- another person repeatedly knowing where you have travelled;
- unfamiliar objects, wiring or magnetic boxes on the vehicle;
- disturbed trim, panels or carpets;
- signs that the vehicle has been accessed;
- alerts that consistently appear during particular journeys;
- an unfamiliar sound coming from inside or near the vehicle;
- a history of stalking, harassment or coercive behaviour.
None of these signs proves that a tracker is present. An alert may have an innocent explanation, particularly on public transport or where another person’s belongings are nearby.
Repeated alerts, unexplained knowledge of your movements or a credible threat should be treated more seriously.
What to do if you suspect a tracker
Your immediate safety should come before attempting to locate the equipment.
Consider taking the following steps:
- Move to a safe or public location if you feel at risk.
- Avoid confronting the person you suspect.
- Preserve screenshots of any tracking alert and associated map.
- Record the date, time, route and circumstances.
- Avoid discussing the concern inside the vehicle if other surveillance may be present.
- Contact the police if there is an immediate threat or suspected stalking.
- Seek specialist stalking or domestic-abuse support where relevant.
- Arrange a professional vehicle inspection if the tracker cannot be found or another type of device may be involved.
The discovery of a tracker may provide important evidence, but it does not itself resolve the wider safety concern.
Should you remove or disable the device?
Disabling a tracker can prevent it from continuing to report location information. However, immediately removing or destroying a suspected device may not always be the best first response.
Doing so could:
- alert the person responsible;
- damage evidence;
- remove information about its position and concealment;
- interfere with a police or private investigation;
- increase the likelihood of confrontation.
Where safe, photograph the device in its original position and preserve any identifying details before it is disturbed.
The appropriate response will depend on the level of risk. Where immediate safety is at stake, leaving the location and contacting the police takes priority over preserving evidence.
Why a phone alert may not be enough
Modern phones can identify certain compatible Bluetooth trackers, but these protections have limitations.
They may not detect:
- cellular GPS trackers;
- hard-wired vehicle devices;
- trackers from unsupported networks;
- intermittently active devices;
- locally recording equipment;
- additional trackers placed elsewhere;
- listening devices or covert cameras.
Research has also raised questions about the availability, usability and effectiveness of anti-stalking functions across personal tracking-device brands.
A phone alert should therefore be treated as one source of information rather than a complete technical assessment.
For a fuller explanation of the different devices and inspection methods, read AirTag and Covert GPS Tracker Detection: A Practical TSCM Guide.
What a professional vehicle inspection may involve
A vehicle inspection should be tailored to the type of vehicle, suspected device and access available to the person of concern.
Depending on the circumstances, it may include:
- detailed physical inspection;
- examination of the passenger compartment and boot;
- inspection of accessible underbody areas;
- checks around wheel arches and body panels;
- Bluetooth and radio-frequency assessment;
- review of unfamiliar wiring or power sources;
- examination for hard-wired or cellular equipment;
- documentation of any device in its original position;
- recording of serial numbers and identifying information.
No inspection can guarantee that every conceivable threat has been eliminated. It can identify devices or suspicious modifications within the agreed scope and support an informed safety or investigative response.
Tracking as part of a broader pattern
The court case is significant because the tracker was not an isolated incident. It appeared alongside repeated messages, letters and unwanted visits following the end of a relationship.
Other relevant behaviours may include:
- repeated unwanted contact;
- threats or intimidation;
- unexplained appearances at locations;
- unauthorised access to property;
- monitoring of online accounts;
- damage to vehicles or belongings;
- attempts to isolate or frighten someone;
- breaches of protective or non-molestation orders.
Technical detection can help establish how monitoring is taking place, but police involvement, safeguarding support and legal advice may also be needed to address the wider behaviour.
Tracker detection and TSCM support
Conflict International provides confidential inspections for suspected AirTags, GPS trackers and other covert surveillance devices.
Our work may include vehicle inspection, technical assessment and documentation of any equipment found, depending on the circumstances and agreed scope.
Learn more about our Counter-Surveillance and Bug Sweeps service, or contact us in confidence to discuss a specific concern.
Where there is an immediate threat to personal safety, contact the police before arranging a private inspection.