Activists arrested over 'mass shoplifting plans'

Fifteen activists from a group which claimed responsibility for stunts targeting the Ritz and the Crown Jewels have been arrested over alleged plans for "mass shoplifting" in London, the Metropolitan Police has said.

The protest group Take Back Power had been preparing a campaign to steal goods from major supermarkets and redistribute them elsewhere, the force added.

The group had gathered at the Quaker Meeting House in Westminster for what was billed as "nonviolent direct action training".

They were interrupted by officers from the Met's Public Order Crime Team and were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit theft.

One man has since been bailed and the other 14 were taken into custody at London police stations, where they remain.

A few days earlier, activists from the group targeted the Ritz Hotel, dumping bags of manure beside its Christmas tree.

A similar operation took place at the Quaker Meeting House last March, when six Youth Demand activists were arrested.

More than 30 officers took part in the operation which the Quakers in Britain group condemned saying it was the first time in living memory that people had been arrested at one of their meeting houses.