A new civil resistance group in the United Kingdom, known as Take Back Power, has come under intense scrutiny following a nationwide police operation targeting its members. The group has been advocating for what it terms 'mass shoplifting' as a form of protest against deepening economic inequality, a tactic that has resulted in numerous arrests and widespread debate.
Police Surround Picnic Gathering
Eve Middleton, a 25-year-old activist, was enjoying a picnic in Peel Park, Salford, alongside six fellow demonstrators when approximately 30 police officers surrounded them. The group had been partaking in vegan biscuits and engaging in what they described as a 'nonviolence training event.' One officer instructed them not to flee, warning they would be handcuffed if they attempted to escape. Another officer zeroed in on evidence, seizing a packet of Oreos and demanding to know their ownership. Bridie Leggatt, a 22-year-old student, described the incident as 'pretty farcical' yet frightening given the number of officers rushing toward them.
The arrests of Leggatt and Middleton were part of a broader crackdown that saw 13 people detained over the weekend in Salford and London. This follows a previous raid in March at a Grade II-listed Quaker House in Westminster, where 15 individuals were arrested during a similar training event. Police have stated that all arrests were made on suspicion of conspiracy to commit theft, linked to Take Back Power's campaign of organized shoplifting in supermarkets across Britain.
Group's Tactics and Goals
Take Back Power has gained attention through viral TikTok videos showing activists of various ages 'liberating' items such as rice, pasta, beans, nappies, stock cubes, and tinned fruit from supermarkets in Cornwall, London, and Manchester. The stolen goods are packed into cardboard boxes emblazoned with the message: 'These things are going to those who need them,' and are subsequently distributed to local food banks, provided they evade security. This brazen approach has been described as unprecedented, even amid record-high shoplifting rates in the country.
Steph Parker, an assistant chief constable at Greater Manchester Police, emphasized that forces would take 'robust action to disrupt this type of organised criminality and it will not be tolerated.' Middleton and her companions were held in custody for 24 hours before being released. For many activists, including Middleton, this is not their first brush with the law; several are seasoned protesters who have previously participated in actions with Extinction Rebellion, Just Stop Oil, and Animal Rising. Both Middleton and Leggatt declined to disclose their total number of arrests, fearing reprimands from their parents.
Broader Campaign and Legal Challenges
Take Back Power first made headlines in December when activists threw custard and apple crumble at a case containing the crown jewels at the Tower of London. Eight individuals were charged with criminal damage over that incident, with four due to appear in Westminster Magistrates Court. The group claims that 50 people have been arrested since December, the majority during nonviolence training sessions. On its website, the group invites activists to join upcoming actions in London 'targeting the luxury lifestyle of the super-rich' by 'occupying where they play and shop.'
A spokesperson for Take Back Power, who identified himself only as James due to the risk of arrest, stated that the organization plans further headline-grabbing stunts this year to highlight Britain's deepening inequality. The group advocates for higher taxes on the wealthy and a legally binding citizens' assembly, and operates without a formal leader. According to a fundraising page, it has raised over £65,000 in donations in the past four months.
Another activist arrested last weekend, who gave his name only as Mark, argued that mass shoplifting would have 'no real effect' on supermarkets that generate billions in profits. Middleton pointed out that Tesco's chief executive, Ken Murphy, received £9.2 million last year, approximately 400 times the salary of a typical store worker. When questioned about the potential impact on low-paid staff, Mark, a 44-year-old educator, asserted that cuts should target 'obscene profits and salaries of the chief executives,' not employees.
Policing by Consent Under Scrutiny
The arrests at a training event, rather than for a specific act of theft, have raised concerns about policing methods. Peel Park, where the picnic took place, is named after Sir Robert Peel, the founder of modern law enforcement whose philosophy of 'policing by consent' emphasizes public trust over fear or force. Middleton argued that the arrests contradict this principle. Parliament's Joint Committee on Human Rights has condemned recent legislative changes that it says have had 'a chilling effect' on the right to protest in England and Wales.
Middleton described the arrests as part of a broader 'repression' of civil resistance, noting that other groups have been able to conduct training without mass arrests. James, the Take Back Power spokesperson, stated that the group aims to escalate its actions to push inequality to the top of the political agenda by the next general election, which must be held by August 2029. Middleton believes the police crackdown indicates that authorities are fearful. 'They can see that Take Back Power does speak to a lot of this country's people [who are] fed up with inequality. They are scared of what it could become,' she said.
