Police detained four people at the Tower of London on Saturday, December 6, following an incident in which cream and apple crumble were thrown over a protective case containing part of the royal jewels. Police were called shortly before 10:00 GMT to reports of damage to a display case containing the imperial state crown jewels, law enforcement officials said.
Scotland Yard said four people had been arrested on suspicion of causing the damage. the house of jewellery has been temporarily closed to visitors while investigations take place.
The Take Back Power group, which describes itself as a “new movement of non-violent civil resistance”, claimed responsibility for the action. The activists said they were thus demanding that the government establish a permanent public assembly – the “People’s Chamber” – with the power to “tax excessive wealth and improve the situation in the country.”
Footage released on social media shows one of the protesters pulling a large tray of Kramble out of a bag and hurling it at the glass that protects the crown. Another activist poured bright yellow custard on the front of the case. During the action, participants shouted “democracy has crumbled” and “Britain is broken. We have come to the nation’s jewels to take back power!”.
This is the second action claimed by Take Back Power in recent days. On Wednesday, three activists dumped bags of manure in the lobby of the Ritz Hotel under its 7.5 metre Christmas tree.