"There is a clear difference between lawful protest and criminal acts. This evening's operation tackled a group who we have grounds to suspect were planning to steal from shops in a large, targeted and organised way. Theft is a crime and the public expect the police to deal with it - which is exactly what we have done today."
"Take Back Power, which emerged in late 2025 as a successor to Just Stop Oil, claimed it was behind a stunt which saw apple crumble and custard thrown at a display case containing the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London in December. Days before that, activists from the group targeted the Ritz Hotel by emptying bags of manure next to its Christmas tree."
The Metropolitan Police arrested 15 members of Take Back Power, a non-violent civil resistance group, at a Quaker Meeting House in Westminster on Thursday evening. Officers suspected the activists were planning an organized campaign to steal goods from supermarkets and redistribute them. One person was released on bail while 14 remained in custody. Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman distinguished between lawful protest and criminal acts, stating police intervened because they had grounds to suspect the group was planning large-scale, targeted theft. Take Back Power emerged in late 2025 as a successor to Just Stop Oil and previously claimed responsibility for stunts including throwing food at the Crown Jewels and dumping manure at the Ritz Hotel.
Read at www.standard.co.uk
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