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Assist Security Group (ASG) reports that it has uncovered plans by Extinction Rebellion (XR) to occupy Windsor Castle grounds. The security firm says this highlights the growing need for security intelligence to protect high-profile organisations in an era of escalating activist disruptions.
ASG’s Pivotal division has employed open-source intelligence techniques and to detail XR’s intended three-day demonstration at Windsor Great Park from Friday, August 30. The climate activist group aims to orchestrate a mass occupation, potentially disrupting local businesses and public order.
Rob High, Head of Intelligence and Risk at ASG, said: “XR’s Windsor strategy represents a significant escalation in activist tactics. They’re targeting a symbol of the establishment to amplify their message and as part of their 1 per cent campaign. Other potential target organisations should be alert to this.”
The firm reports XR’s plans to use diversionary tactics, including a march down The Long Walk and performances by red-robed protestors, to potentially access restricted areas. While the firm notes that XR has now denied that they had intentions to “storm” the castle, ASG says that its intelligence team was able to uncover plans to try and access restricted areas of the castle.
The size and scale of the protest mean significant disruption is likely, the firm says; however, national media coverage of ASGโs report means the chance of direct action and occupation-style protest is less likely, given police and private security are now on alert. ASG adds that its intelligence solutions focus on each customer’s risk landscape looking at areas such as:
Real-time threat monitoring and alerting;
Vulnerability assessments of physical and cyber assets;
Travel risk management for global operations;
High net worth individual protection; and
Actions of activist groups.
The company stresses that its methods adhere to legal and ethical standards, using the police’s National Intelligence Model (NIM) for reliability and integrity of information. Recent events, including far-right demonstrations and geopolitical tensions, underscore the need for proactive security measures, ASG adds. High said: “The Windsor situation is just one piece of a larger puzzle. We’re seeing a surge in activist activities, cyber threats, and political instabilities. Our job is to help clients see the whole picture and prepare accordingly.”
ASG is planning webinars on evolving security challenges and is developing a white paper on intelligence in crisis preparedness. Visit https://assistsecurity.co.uk/.
Background
XR said it was ‘gathering in Windsor Home Park on the morning of Friday, August 30 for three days of creative, peaceful action to propose democratic renewal’. Setting up camp there on the Friday would be followed by ‘an action-packed weekend’. It denied ‘any plans to storm Windsor Castle, any hotels nor cause public disruption’ and said conversations have been taking place with the Crown Estate, the council and the police for months. Among recent places that have been targets for XR have been the Royal Albert Hall (hired for an awards night for the insurance sector), insurers’ offices, East Sussex County Council headquarters in Lewes, and Wimbledon Centre Court.
Photo by Mark Rowe: Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead on-street CCTV, Windsor town centre.
