Civil resistance activists detained in Manchester over alleged plan to raid high-end stores | Protest

Seven people from an activist group calling for higher taxes on the super-rich have been arrested by police on suspicion of conspiracy to steal.

Police have confirmed that six women and a man were detained in Salford, Greater Manchester, on Sunday in an alleged coordinated theft plot from high-end department stores.

Civil resistance activist group Take Back Power confirmed the arrest of its supporters. It was stated that all members of the group were being held in police custody for questioning.

Manchester police said the group was believed to be training for a mass theft campaign to steal from high-value shops and supermarkets and redistribute stolen goods.

Steph Parker, deputy chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, said: “We are taking strong action to crack down on this type of organized crime and it will not be tolerated.”

Take Back Power describes itself online as a “non-violent civil resistance group” that aims to “engage the 99%” through citizens’ assemblies. The group is calling on the government to establish a “people’s parliament” with the power to tax the super-rich.

A spokesman said: “Police arrest people in general education sessions that teach the history and principles of non-violence.

“Today’s raid continues the increasing crackdown on non-violent campaigns. Police have so far shut down five non-violent sessions organized by Take Back Power and in some cases raided places of worship.”

In March, London police announced that they had arrested 15 people from Take Back Power for allegedly plotting to commit mass theft. Nine members of that group were charged on Sunday with offenses relating to demonstrations in which manure was dumped on the floor of the Ritz hotel in central London last December and another incident at the Tower of London.