Take Back Power Protesters Smear Custard and Apple Crumble on Imperial State Crown Display; Police Arrest Four

Early on 6 December, activists from a group calling itself Take Back Power staged a protest at the Tower of London’s Jewel House, slamming a foil tray of apple crumble against the glass case and pouring bright yellow custard over the display protecting the Imperial State Crown.

“London police said four people were arrested Saturday after food -- purportedly apple crumble and custard -- was thrown at a display case containing Britain's priceless Crown Jewels in the Tower of London”

24 News HD

Police were called at about 09:48 GMT, and four people were detained on suspicion of criminal damage while two others left the scene; the Jewel House was briefly closed as officers and security checked the display before the attraction later reopened.

24 News HD

Multiple outlets reported video shared by the group showing the action and the subsequent arrests.

Footage circulated by Take Back Power shows demonstrators slamming a foil tray of crumble and pouring custard, then revealing T-shirts and banners reading slogans such as "Democracy has crumbled" and "Tax the Rich."

The group said the stunt aimed to press the UK government to create a permanent citizens' assembly — a "House of the People" — with powers to tax extreme wealth, and several outlets noted it followed other actions attributed to the group, such as dumping manure beside the Ritz's Christmas tree.

Anadolu Ajansı

Some reports framed the protest as drawing attention to homelessness and housing inequality.

Police and site officials responded swiftly.

“Londonpolice said four people were arrested Saturday after food -- purportedly apple crumble and custard -- was thrown at a display case containing Britain's priceless Crown Jewels in the Tower of London”

Asianet Newsable

Officers from the Metropolitan Police, working with the City of London Police and Tower security, attended the scene, detained four suspects on suspicion of criminal damage, and temporarily closed the Jewel House for investigation.

Historic Royal Palaces and other authorities told multiple outlets that the Crown Jewels were not damaged and that the attraction subsequently reopened.

Posted footage showed staff and security trying to intervene.

Reporting about the Crown and public reaction varied.

Several outlets described the Imperial State Crown's history and gem-set details while stressing there was no reported physical harm to the jewels.

BBC

Some coverage flagged critics who called the stunt disrespectful.

Sources highlighted the crown's ceremonial importance, noting it was made in 1937 and is used at coronations and state openings of Parliament, and they reiterated that authorities had not reported damage to the jewels themselves.

Coverage tone and context differed across source types: international and Asian outlets framed the incident as part of broader inequality protests, local Western outlets emphasized the immediate spectacle and operational disruption, and some Western mainstream papers included critical commentary and named individuals.

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

Belfast Live

Several outlets placed the stunt in a wider pattern of recent cultural-site protests, while others focused on the group’s stated demand for a citizens’ assembly and higher taxes on the very wealthy.

Belfast Live

Overall reporting converged on the facts of the stunt and arrests but diverged in emphasis and context.