Four people have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage after the display case containing the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London was apparently covered in fruit crumble and custard.
The vault where the artefacts are displayed, known as the Jewel House, was temporarily closed to the public while police investigated the potential attack. A group called Take Back Power, who say that they are campaigning for higher taxes on the wealthy, have taken responsibility for the protest.
The group said in a statement posted online that two protesters covered the Crown Jewels display case with custard and apple crumble at around 9:50am on Saturday morning.
Footage shared by the group showed one demonstrator removing the large foil tray of crumble from a bag and slamming it against the glass protecting the Imperial State Crown.
Another then repeatedly poured a tub of bright yellow custard on the front of the case.
The activists then opened their coats to show their T-shirt slogans which read “Take Back Power” before one shouted “Democracy has crumbled” and another shouted “Britain is broken. We’ve come here to the jewels of the nation to take back power.”
Two activists also held a sign reading ‘Democracy has crumbled – Tax the Rich’ in front of the display cabinet.
The group’s statement continued: “By around 10:30, the two action takers and two others had been taken into custard-y by police”.
Surprised tourists could be seen reacting to the stunt which happened on Saturday morning, while a Tower of London worker quickly approached shouting: “Excuse me, excuse me”, as she radioed for help.
Take Back Power targeted the Ritz Hotel on Wednesday by emptying bags of manure next to its Christmas tree. It said it carried out the stunt to demand the government establishes a permanent citizens’ assembly – a “House of the People” – with the power to “tax extreme wealth and fix Britain”.
Police initially said that the Tower of London had been closed to the public but clarified that it is only the Jewel House that is shut off.
Police minister Sarah Jones said that the protest incident at the Tower of London was “disgraceful”.
In a statement on X, Ms Jones said: “Disgraceful incident this morning at the Tower of London. I am grateful to the police for their swift response and for the full investigation, which is now underway.
“There is a clear difference between the democratic right to protest and unacceptable behaviour.”
The Metropolitan Police said that officers arrived at the scene on Saturday morning after reports of criminal damage.
A spokesperson for the force said: “Police were called at 09:48hrs on Saturday, 6 December 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 been taken into custody.”
The Tower of London, which was built in the 1070s by William the Conqueror, now attracts more than three million visitors a year. The tower displays the Crown Jewels collection and the Coronation Regalia are at the heart of this exhibition.
This includes the Imperial State Crown, which is worn by the monarch at the end of the coronation ceremony and at formal occasions like the state opening of parliament.
Lighter than St Edward’s Crown – the Coronation Crown – the Imperial State Crown 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.
Historic Royal Palaces, the independent charity which looks after the tower, said the Crown Jewels were not damaged during the incident.
It added that the tower was open to the public, and that the Jewel House, which is home to the historic treasures, temporarily closed while police investigated but has now reopened.
