Pre-Assault Indicators: 8 Warning Signs Every Canadian Security Guard Should Recognize
Working in security means interacting with people in all kinds of situations. Most encounters are routine, but some can become tense, unpredictable, or potentially dangerous.
A customer refuses to leave a property. A disagreement escalates at an event. Someone becomes increasingly aggressive when asked to follow the rules.
In situations like these, recognizing changes in behaviour is key to keeping yourself and others safe.
Certain physical and verbal behaviours, often called pre-assault indicators, may suggest that a person is becoming increasingly agitated or preparing for a confrontation.
For security guards across Canada, understanding these warning signs is a valuable part of situational awareness, risk assessment, and personal safety.
What Are Pre-Assault Indicators?
Pre-assault indicators are behaviours that may appear before a physical confrontation.
They can include changes in posture, facial expressions, hand movements, personal space, and communication.
Recognizing these behaviours doesn't mean you can predict exactly what someone will do next. People may display similar behaviours because they're anxious, frightened, frustrated, or experiencing other forms of stress.
However, when several warning signs appear together, particularly during an escalating confrontation, they may indicate an increased risk of violence.
The goal is to recognize potential danger early enough to respond appropriately.
8 Pre-Assault Indicators to Watch For
1. Target Glancing
During a conversation, someone repeatedly looks at specific areas of your body or equipment.
They may glance at your:
- Chin or face
- Hands
- Torso
- Radio or communication equipment
Repeatedly focusing on these areas may indicate that the person is assessing their surroundings or considering physical action.
Example: You're speaking with an individual who has been asked to leave a property. Throughout the conversation, they repeatedly glance at your radio and hands.
While this behaviour alone doesn't establish intent, it's worth considering alongside their words, posture, and other actions.
2. Changes in Stance or Body Position
Someone preparing for a physical confrontation may change how they're standing.
They might turn slightly sideways, move one foot behind the other, or raise their hands.
This is sometimes described as blading the body.
Example: After being asked to leave a retail store, an individual shifts their stance, raises their hands, and responds, “Are you going to make me?”
The combination of threatening language and changing posture suggests that the situation may be escalating.
3. Clenching and Unclenching Hands
Hands are particularly important to observe during tense interactions.
Possible warning signs include:
- Repeatedly making fists
- Opening and closing the hands
- Raising hands toward the face
- Tightening the jaw
- Grinding teeth
These behaviours can accompany heightened stress or agitation.
Example: During an argument, someone begins breathing heavily while repeatedly clenching their fists.
This doesn't guarantee an attack, but it should prompt greater awareness and consideration of your safety.
4. Sudden Silence
A noticeable change in someone's communication can also be significant.
Someone who has been shouting or arguing may suddenly become quiet, stop responding, or stare intently.
There are many possible reasons for this behaviour. However, when it occurs alongside threats, physical tension, or attempts to close distance, it may indicate a change in the situation.
Example: A person has been making repeated threats but suddenly stops speaking and begins staring at the guard.
Rather than assuming the situation has resolved, the guard should continue assessing the person's behaviour and surroundings.
5. Invading Personal Space
Maintaining a safe distance is an important part of personal safety.
Someone who repeatedly moves closer despite requests for space may be creating a more threatening situation.
Watch for behaviours such as:
- Stepping toward you repeatedly
- Leaning aggressively forward
- Refusing to respect physical boundaries
- Following when you attempt to create distance
Example: You step back during a heated conversation, but the individual repeatedly moves forward to close the gap.
Maintaining distance provides additional time to assess and respond to changes in behaviour.
6. Grooming Gestures
People experiencing stress sometimes make repetitive movements involving their clothing, hair or face.
These may include:
- Pulling up sleeves
- Adjusting clothing
- Rubbing the face or head
- Repeatedly touching the hair
These gestures are common and aren't necessarily threatening.
However, when they appear alongside aggressive language, stance changes, or other concerning behaviours, they may contribute to an overall assessment of escalating risk.
7. Scanning the Surroundings
A person may begin repeatedly looking around during a tense interaction.
They might look toward:
- Entrances and exits
- Other people nearby
- Security cameras
- Objects within reach
- Other security personnel
Scanning can have many explanations, including anxiety or a desire to leave.
The important thing is to consider the behaviour in context.
Example: An individual making threats repeatedly looks toward an exit and checks where other security personnel are standing.
This pattern may warrant increased caution and a review of available exits and support.
8. Threats and Changes in Tone
Verbal communication can provide important information about a person's emotional state and intentions.
Examples of concerning statements include:
- “What are you going to do about it?”
- “I wouldn't do that if I were you.”
- “Say that again.”
- “Don't come any closer.”
Changes in volume, tone, pace, or intensity may also be relevant.
A person who becomes increasingly threatening while displaying physical signs of agitation may present a greater risk than someone who is simply expressing frustration.
Look for Patterns, Not Just Individual Behaviours
One of the most important lessons for security guards is that a single behaviour rarely tells the whole story.
Someone may clench their hands because they're nervous.
Someone may look toward an exit because they want to leave.
Someone may become quiet because they're trying to calm themselves.
The concern increases when several behaviours occur together during an escalating situation.
For example:
- Clenched fists combined with verbal threats
- Repeatedly closing distance while shifting into a confrontational stance
- Sudden silence followed by aggressive movement
- Threatening language combined with scanning and changes in posture
Security guards should evaluate the overall circumstances rather than assuming they know someone's intentions based on one movement.
What Should Security Guards Do When They Notice Warning Signs?
Recognizing possible pre-assault indicators is only useful if it helps you make safer decisions.
Create Distance
Where possible, increase the space between yourself and the individual.
Distance provides additional time to recognize changes in behaviour and respond appropriately.
Avoid allowing someone to repeatedly close the gap without reassessing the situation.
Consider Your Position
Be aware of your surroundings.
Know where exits are located and avoid becoming trapped in confined spaces or areas without a clear route to safety.
Position yourself in a way that allows you to observe the individual while maintaining appropriate personal space.
Communicate Calmly
Use clear, simple language.
Avoid unnecessary arguments, threats, or attempts to embarrass the person.
A calm, professional tone may help reduce tension and prevent further escalation.
Request Assistance Early
Don't wait until an encounter becomes physical before considering whether additional support is needed.
Follow your employer's procedures for contacting another guard, a supervisor or emergency services.
Know When to Disengage
Not every confrontation needs to continue.
When appropriate, stepping away, creating distance and requesting assistance may be safer than continuing an increasingly hostile interaction.
Security guards should follow their training, legal responsibilities and site procedures when determining the appropriate response.
Why Situational Awareness Matters in Canadian Security Work
Security guards work in a wide variety of environments, including shopping centres, hospitals, residential properties, office buildings, construction sites and public events.
Each setting presents different challenges.
A guard working at a hospital may encounter distressed patients or visitors.
A retail security guard may deal with someone refusing to leave.
An event security guard may need to respond to an escalating disagreement in a crowded venue.
Regardless of the environment, the ability to observe behaviour, recognize changing risks, and communicate effectively is valuable.
It's also important to remember that security guard licensing and training requirements vary by province. Guards should understand the laws, responsibilities, and employer procedures that apply to their specific jurisdiction and assignment.
Training Helps You Respond with Confidence
Recognizing warning signs is one part of professional security work.
Knowing what to do next is just as important.
Security training provides a foundation in communication, observation, legal responsibilities, emergency response, and professional conduct.
Additional training in areas such as de-escalation and conflict management can help security professionals continue developing their ability to respond to challenging situations.
At Security Guard Training Canada, we help Canadians take the first steps toward careers in security through accessible online training.
Whether you're preparing to enter the industry or looking to strengthen your professional knowledge, understanding situational awareness and personal safety is an important part of becoming a capable security guard.
Recognize the signs. Assess the risk. Respond professionally.
Explore your security guard training options and take the next step toward a career in security.
References
Blue Sheepdog. (n.d.). Pre-attack indicators. https://www.bluesheepdog.com/pre-attack-indicators/
Ti Training. (2025, June 20). Pre-attack indicators: A training guide to reading body language for law enforcement. https://titraining.com/blog/pre-attack-indicators/
Last Updated on Oct 11, 2026
