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AFP, LONDON
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London police arrested four people on Saturday after apple crumble and custard were thrown at a display case containing the UK’s priceless Crown Jewels in the Tower of London, in the latest direct action protest stunt.
The city’s Metropolitan Police said officers responded to “reports of criminal damage to a display case, containing the State Crown” and that “four protesters threw suspected food onto the case before two left the scene.”
“Officers worked closely with City of London Police and security officers and four people have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage,” the force added
Members of Take Back Power hold a sign as they stand after they threw food at a display case containing the UK’s State Crown at the Tower of London on Saturday.
Photo: AFP PHOTO / Take Back Power / Handout
A little-known, self-proclaimed non-violent civil resistance group called Take Back Power claimed responsibility, saying its members had thrown the crumble and custard.
It is “demanding that the UK government establish a permanent citizen’s assembly… which has the power to tax extreme wealth and fix Britain,” according to statement posted online.
The group shared a video of the incident on social media showing a young woman planting a foil tray containing the crumble up against the glass pane, followed by a young man splattering custard from a tub on top of it. The Imperial State Crown, worn by King Charles III at the end of his 2023 coronation ceremony and at formal occasions like the State Opening of Parliament, could be seen shimmering inside the case.
Both suspected perpetrators in the footage wore T-shirts with “take back power” and a logo emblazoned on the front.
“Democracy has crumbled!” the young woman yelled, as the custard-throwing man shouted “Britain is broken!”
“We’ve come here, to the jewels of the nation, to take back power,” he added.
The footage, filmed by another person close by, showed a female staff member with a walkie-talkie attempting to intervene, repeatedly shouting “excuse me!” as she radioed for help.
The incident is the latest example of so-called direct action demonstrations, targeting cultural, sporting and other sites in the UK and beyond.
Stunts have included targeting Vincent van Gogh’s glass-protected Sunflowers painting with tomato soup and daubing Stonehenge with orange paint powder.
Take Back Power targeted the Ritz Hotel on Wednesday, emptying bags of manure next to its Christmas tree.
The Crown Jewels were not damaged during its new stunt, the Historic Royal Palaces charity which manages the Tower of London said.
The Jewel House at the world-famous tower where most of the historic treasures are kept temporarily closed while police investigated, but reopened later on Saturday.
The Crown Jewels are the UK’s most precious treasures, including regalia used at coronations of new monarchs.
Comprising more than 100 objects and over 23,000 gemstones, they are considered “of incalculable cultural, historical, and symbolic value,” according to Historic Royal Palaces.
The jewels are part of the Royal Collection, held in trust by the monarch for the nation.
