A new civil resistance group in the UK, Take Back Power, has faced a police crackdown after calling for 'mass shoplifting' to protest inequality. Thirteen people were arrested last weekend in Salford and London, following 15 arrests in March. The group's TikTok videos show activists 'liberating' items like rice, pasta, and nappies from supermarkets to distribute to food banks.
Among those arrested was student Bridie Leggatt, 22, and Eve Middleton, 25, who were detained during a 'nonviolence training event' in a park. Leggatt described the experience as 'frightening' when about 30 officers surrounded the group. They were held for 24 hours on suspicion of conspiracy to commit theft.
Take Back Power announced itself in December with a stunt at the Tower of London, where activists threw custard and apple crumble at the crown jewels. Eight people were charged with criminal damage. The group says 50 people have been arrested since December, mostly at training events.
A spokesperson for the group, who gave his name as James, said they plan further stunts to highlight Britain's deepening inequality. The group wants higher taxes on the rich and a legally binding citizens' assembly. It has raised over £65,000 in donations since December.
Greater Manchester Police's Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker said forces would take 'robust action' against such organised criminality. Activists argue that supermarkets profit from misery, pointing to Tesco CEO Ken Murphy's £9.2m pay package, about 400 times that of a typical worker.
