How to do a RECCE

Action Design Space Workshop - How To Do Recces

RECCE is another term for reconnaissance.

At its most basic reconnaissance is preliminary surveying or research.

We try and avoid the term “reconnaissance” due to its military association, Recce is much softer and almost sounds FUN! (rec-reational!)

The success of every action is in the planning and the detail. As Benjamin Franklin said “If You Fail to Plan, You Are Planning to Fail”.

A good recce can make or break an action. A bad recce (or no recce) can potentially put people in danger.

There are three types of recce

Sometimes you need to do Multiple Area Reconnaissance (all 3) - for example the Pink Table required a recce of the junction, a recce of the march route, a recce of the vehicle route and then a recce of the wider area to think about the impact of the occupation. It also required a night time recce to evaluate late night risk - partygoers, proximity to nightclubs, etc.


Why do we recce?

Essentially, a recce is important for us to plan how to execute an effective action. This means we don't want to just turn up on the day and hope for the best!

We want to… Gather information Look out for Problems Check police presence Identify accessibility needs Make a decision about going or not going! Help identify plan B or C Ensure safety Most importantly, to ensure success!

Sometimes seeing a location in the flesh will help trigger more ideas. It’s sometimes easier to visualize the action once you’re in the space, you have a better sense of scale.

Important note – every action needs a recce (of sorts).


Before the recce

Determine what kind of recce you need to do…

Check the location via Google Maps and Google Streetview to get a feel for it.

MAKE SURE YOU ARE USING A VPN WHEN USING GOOGLE!

Be security conscious
Use paper maps

Advantages

Disadvantages

Download an offline map app like Guru maps that allows you to drop pins and make notes on exact locations. Guru maps stores information locally on your phone and not in the cloud (unless you want it to).

Download What 3 Words to help share exact pinpoint locations

Download a AR measuring app like http://armeasure.com Newer iPhones have a standard AR measuring tool.

Use a laser measuring tool

If planning actions in Central London you can use this website to check traffic hotspots everyday at the time of your action at the location…

Plan a route if needed and make a note of it.

Make a list of everything you need to check on the recce.


Who should do the recce? The three C’s - Competent, Confident and Careful


What to take on your recce?

Be Incognito


When to do your recce?

On going, live, on ground reconnaissance in the lead up to and during the action can be done via several people on site using a Whatsapp chat using live location to track vehicle positions. This can be used to communicate Plan B to all key players if needed!

During the action, especially longer actions/occupations, ongoing information gathering is essential for potential moves to a plan B or plan C, or to develop escalation of the action. A cover story that allows all areas access can be helpful, eg a photographer/live streamer, or a hand sanitiser dispenser.

Are police coming etc?


Recce checklist / Things to consider

Buildings and Infrastructure

Security/Police

Beacons / Tripods

Workers & Community

Miscellaneous


After you Recce

Recce Packs/Briefing Docs

Some aligned actions might require a recce pack; 404 is a good example. A recce pack was pulled together to advise on the areas that should be investigated at each specific Amazon depot. This pack helps ensure that those doing the visit cover all the appropriate requirements.


Case Study

Ascot Racecourse Anecdotal Observations


Information on security staff whose job is to identify threats from activists


Recce links, further reading and resources

Facial Recognition Technology


General resources

Action Resources Document

Suggested Reading


Revision #3
Created 9 March 2023 11:18:26 by Woody
Updated 9 March 2023 12:09:34 by Woody