British police have arrested seven people in northwest England over what authorities described as a coordinated national plan involving activists intending to target high-end retail stores and supermarkets, according to a statement from Greater Manchester Police.
The arrests were carried out on Sunday in Salford. Police said the group—one man and six women—were detained on suspicion of conspiracy to steal, as part of an alleged wider campaign linked to organised “non-direct action” training sessions.
Authorities allege the individuals were preparing for a mass shoplifting campaign aimed at stealing goods from high-value stores, with the stated intention of redistributing the items. Police said the investigation is focused on preventing organised criminal activity before it escalates.
Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker said law enforcement would take “robust action” against any such coordinated activity, adding that it would not be tolerated. Police have not released further details about the identities of those arrested.
The group is reportedly linked to an activist movement known as Take Back Power, which describes itself as a civil resistance organisation advocating for a tax on extreme wealth. The group denies allegations of criminal intent, saying its activities involve non-violent training sessions focused on education and civil resistance principles.
A spokesperson for the organisation said supporters were being arrested at what they described as “generic training sessions,” and argued that these gatherings are intended to teach the history and principles of non-violent protest rather than encourage criminal activity.
Greater Manchester Police said the investigation is ongoing and forms part of wider efforts to address what it calls organised attempts to carry out coordinated theft operations across multiple locations.
This is not the first time authorities have taken action against members of the group. London police previously arrested 15 individuals connected to Take Back Power in March over similar allegations involving planned shoplifting activity.
In a separate development, nine members of the group were charged on Sunday in connection with incidents in London, including disruptive actions at the Ritz Hotel in December, where manure was allegedly thrown inside the building, and another incident at the Tower of London during the same period.
Police say they are continuing to monitor potential organised actions targeting retail businesses and public spaces.
The case has drawn attention amid wider debates in the UK over economic inequality, protest movements, and the boundaries between activism and criminal conduct. Authorities maintain that while peaceful protest is legal, organised theft and property damage will be prosecuted.
Investigations into the Salford arrests are continuing.
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