The art of siege negotiation

Negotiating with hostage takers can be dangerous

As negotiators deal with an incident on the M4 motorway, BBC News Online looks at the art of the siege negotiators.

A hostage situation may involve one person or a plane-load, but the tactics used by the negotiators are the same.

Hostage negotiation training stresses patience, calmness, anticipation and maintenance of control over the situation.

There are several "rules" which negotiators will try to adhere to:

Try to avoid the involvement of third parties

Never try to shame or embarrass the caller

Ask open-ended, non-judgmental questions

Never meet their demands or acknowledge ultimatums

Try not to argue with the caller - be courteous and let them have their say

Try to read between the lines and anticipate what would resolve the situation

Hostage negotiators say there are four main types of hostage takers: professional criminals (who may end up in a hostage situation after a failed robbery), the mentally disturbed, terrorists and those involved in family disturbances.

The average hostage negotiation lasts between eight and 12 hours.

But they say the most critical time is the first 45 minutes and it is vital to build up a rapport with the individual in that period.

Hostage negotiators are also wary of the involvement of the press, especially radio.

An individual may have access to a radio and negative publicity may inflame the situation.

Author Leroy Thompson, in his Hostage Rescue Manual, says: "The good negotiator is absolutely essential in dealing with virtually any hostage incident.

"He or she may be able to defuse the situation and talk the hostage-takers out without violence."