Alert+
Disruptions Expected as Direct Action Campaign Hits UK Insurance Sector
Intelligence cut off: 10:00 GMT 25 March 2025
On the morning of 25 March, starting at 10:00 UK time, a consortium of 12 pro-Palestine, environmentalist and left-wing groups are staging coordinated protests at the headquarters and offices of major insurance companies in London, Birmingham, Glasgow, and Manchester.
The protests, dubbed “Boycott Bloody Insurance” are aimed at opposing companies that the organisers deem to be “complicit in genocide” in Gaza and to be supporting the Israeli war efforts. The latest protests are part of a larger campaign that was launched on 10 March 2025, following the release of a report documenting the companies’ alleged ties to entities operating in Israel or providing munitions and arms to Israel.
The 10 March report has already had some impact in driving civil unrest and direct action targeting insurance companies. The Palestinian Youth Movement used the report to justify action against the global logistics company Maersk. Other groups that endorsed or supported the report include the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, the Palestinian Boycott Divestment Sanction (BDS) Committee, and the Watermelon Index.
Insurance companies have already been targeted by groups like Palestine Action. For instance, on 17 March, Palestine Action activists sprayed the front of the Allianz company offices in Manchester with red paint
INTELLIGENCE ANALYSIS
Security Concerns Rise as UK Protesters Target Insurance Sector Over Gaza Links
The 25 March protests are highly likely to be comprised of small-scale actions and are unlikely to significantly disrupt travel and services in the City of London and near the targets in Manchester, Birmingham, and Glasgow. Groups of activists will likely consist of a few dozen individuals at most. However, attendees are likely to be trained in direct action and may have some tools that could be used as weapons in a confrontation.
Based on previous protests, it is highly likely that the methods employed by the activists will be aimed at obtaining maximum media visibility through direct action. Consequently, it is highly likely that protesters will seek to spray paint on the entrances to the companies’ office buildings, smash windows, and may seek to physically disrupt entry to them by either forming human chains, “locking on” (attaching themselves to the buildings, their doors, or the ground immediately in front of them), or installing locks or chains to doors to prevent access.
Employees and bystanders entering the buildings or transiting in their vicinity are likely to face harassment and may be at a greater risk of violence, especially if they try to confront the protesters. There is also a realistic possibility of company and employees’ vehicles being vandalised, especially if they have clearly visible company logos.
Travel Risk Advice: Safety Guidelines for the United Kingdom
- Avoid all large gatherings.
- Closely monitor local news reports and government alerts.
- Monitor the local transport authority websites for reports of possible disruptions in London, Manchester, Birmingham, or Glasgow.
- Plan for alternative routes and means of transport.
- If caught in a protest area, try to leave quickly if it is safe to do so.
- Reconsider travel to company offices if possible.
- Ensure that you always carry personal identification documents or copies.
- Have emergency contact numbers saved on your phone. These should include the local authorities, medical facilities and any consular support. Ensure that mobile phones are charged in case of any losses in electricity.
- Consider relocating company vehicles away from areas likely to be targeted by protesters. Prioritise secure, indoor parking locations.
- Monitor the Solace Secure platform and trusted local media for updates relevant to the conflict.
