Protesters ‘threw crumble and custard’ at Crown Jewels display case at Tower of London stunt

Four people have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage after the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London were found covered in pieces of fruit and custard.

The vault displaying the artefacts, known as the Jewel House, was temporarily closed to the public while police investigated a possible attack. A group called Take Back Power, which says it is campaigning for higher taxes on the wealthy, has claimed responsibility for the protests.

In a statement posted online by the group, two protesters covered Crown Jewels’ display cases with custard and apple crumble around 9:50 a.m. Saturday.

Footage shared by the group showed a protester pulling a large crumpled foil tray out of a bag and smashing it against the glass protecting the Imperial State Crown.

Another repeatedly poured a tub of bright yellow custard in front of the case.

Activists then opened their coats to reveal T-shirts that read “Take Back Power” with the words “Democracy is broken” and another reading “Britain is broken. We have come to the jewel of the nation to take back power.”

In front of the protesting cabinet, two activists also carried placards that read ‘Democracy is broken – tax the rich’.

The group’s statement continues: “By around 10:30, the two activists and two others were taken by the police to Custard-y”.

Surprised tourists could be seen reacting to the stunt on Saturday morning, while a Tower of London worker quickly approached shouting: “I’m sorry, I’m sorry”, he radioed for help.

Take Back Power targeted the Ritz Hotel on Wednesday by emptying bags of fertilizer next to its Christmas tree. It said the government had staged a stunt to demand the establishment of a permanent citizens’ assembly – the “House of the People” – with powers to “tax excessive wealth and fix Britain”.

Police initially said the Tower of London was closed to the public but clarified that only the Jewel House was closed.

Police Minister Sarah Jones said the incident at the Tower of London demonstration was ‘disgraceful’.

In a statement to X, Ms Jones said: “A disgraceful incident at the Tower of London this morning. I am grateful to the police for their quick response and thorough investigation, which is now underway.

“There is a clear distinction between the democratic right to protest and unacceptable behavior.”

The Metropolitan Police Complex said that the police reached the scene on Saturday morning after receiving information about the criminal damage.

A spokesman for the force said: “Police were called to the Tower of London at 09:48 on Saturday 6 December, following reports of criminal damage in a performance case involving the State Crown.

“It was reported that four protesters threw suspicious food at the case before the 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 by William the Conqueror in the 1070s, now attracts more than 3 million visitors a year. The Tower displays the Crown Jewels collection and the Coronation Regalia are at the center of this exhibition.

This includes the Imperial State Crown, which is worn by the monarch at the end of the coronation ceremony and on ceremonial occasions such as the State Opening of Parliament.

Lighter than St. Edward’s Crown – Coronation Crown – The Imperial State Crown worn by the King when he entered Westminster Abbey on his coronation day and appeared on the palace balcony.

It was originally made for the coronation of her 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 that looks after the tower, said there was no damage to the Crown Jewels during the incident.

It added that the tower is open to the public and the Jewel House, which is home to a historical heritage site, was temporarily closed while police investigated but has now reopened.