Four arrested after apple crumble and custard thrown at Crown Jewels in London

Video showing two protesters hurling food on a display containing crown jewels on Saturday

Four protesters have been arrested after “apple crumble and custard” was thrown at a display case containing the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London.

Take Back Power, which describes itself as a new non-violent civil-resistance group, claimed responsibility for the act on Saturday after it shared footage of the incident online.

The video shows one protester at 09.50am taking a large foil tray of apple crumble from a bag and slamming it against the glass protecting the Imperial State Crown, while another repeatedly pours a tub of bright yellow custard over the front of the case.

The demonstrators then opened their coats to reveal T-shirts reading “Take Back Power,” before one shouted “Democracy has crumbled” and another added: “Britain is broken. We’ve come here to the jewels of the nation to take back power. Join us at takebackpower.net.”

Surprised tourists could be seen reacting to the stunt, while a Tower of London worker approached saying: “Excuse me, excuse me,” as she radioed for help.

By around 10.30am, four members of the group – including a 21-year-old retail worker and a 19-year-old student -had been taken into custody.

The Metropolitan Police said the Jewel House at the Tower was the only area closed to the public while investigations continued.

Take Back Power, which targeted the Ritz Hotel last Wednesday by dumping bags of manure next to its Christmas tree, said the stunt was aimed at pressuring the UK government to create a permanent citizens’ assembly – a “House of the People” – with the power to “tax extreme wealth and fix Britain.”

A Take Back Power spokesperson said in a statement on Saturday: “Since 2011, the poorest 10% of households have paid a combined tax rate of 44% on their income and wealth gains, while the richest paid 22%. Our political class, be it this government, Reform or Tory, serve the super-rich; they do not care about working people.

“That’s why we must demand real democracy, with ordinary people at the heart of decision making, through a citizen-led assembly that has the power to tax the rich.”

The Metropolitan Police said: “Four protestors have been arrested following criminal damage at the Tower of London.

“Police were called at 09.48hrs on Saturday December 6 to the Tower of London following reports of criminal damage to a display case, containing the State Crown.

“It was reported 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. They have taken into custody.”

The Imperial State Crown, a priceless symbol of the monarchy, is used at state openings of Parliament.

Lighter than St Edward’s Crown, it was worn by the King as he left Westminster Abbey on his coronation day and during his appearance on the palace balcony.

It was originally made for the coronation of his grandfather George VI in 1937 and contains 2,868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, four rubies and 269 pearls and weighs over a kilogram.