Stunned shoppers watched as activists loaded trolleys inside a Lewisham Sainsbury’s this weekend, before setting up a makeshift stall outside to give food directly to passers-by.
Similar scenes have played out nationwide, with activists openly admitting they’ve broken the law.
But, they insist they’re justified.
The group, named Take Back Power, raided major supermarkets across multiple UK cities, walking out with boxes of goods without paying. Soon after, they handed them to food banks and local communities.
This group are calling on the UK government to start a ‘House of the People’. This would be a permanent rolling assembly that replaces the House of Lords. It would also include powers to tax the super-rich.
Take Back Power’s food stall outside Sainsburys
Speaking to City News, Luke, a member of the group, defended the controversial tactic, saying they took part in the raids as a means of showing both survival and struggle.
“We did it firstly to help people, because there’s a lot of people in this country struggling, but also to highlight the fact that millions are facing a cost of living crisis while a small group are making record-breaking profits.”
He pointed directly at supermarkets and political influence. “We have more food banks than we do McDonald’s nowadays,” he said. “That tells you everything.”
Luke also suggested the targeting of supermarkets was deliberate, as they make “record-breaking profits” during a crisis. He wants to highlight how “the rich are screwing over everyone else.”
These protests have already led to arrests.
One activist named David has been charged this week on grounds of “conspiracy to commit criminal damage” after the Met police travelled from London to Manchester to find his house.
A spokesperson told City News he was additionally charged on a separate offence.
Members remain defiant, and some say the law itself is part of the problem.
Olive, another member of the group, said decisions on what is and isn’t illegal, is hypocritical.
“You have these corporations making insane profits and I think that is stealing. That is stealing from our communities when there are families that cannot afford to put food on the table.”
She described the supermarket raids as “inspiring,” adding: “No one is holding these corporations, the super rich to account for this. Seeing people take back what is owed to our communities is so important. The government isn’t doing it, so we need to step up and do it ourselves.”
Adding fuel to the debate is testimony from a self-described “food waste inspector” who has gained a following of 85k on Instagram (@food_waste_inspector_), and 66k on TikTok. He posts videos of supermarkets bins after they’ve thrown away huge amounts of perfectly edible food every night.
“I’ve seen thousands of pounds worth of in-date food dumped. Families are going hungry while bins are full.”
He admitted the activists’ tactics are controversial, saying he doesn’t support theft, but does support what they are doing.
“Yes, it’s theft. But it highlights the bigger issue that supermarkets are not doing enough.”
With more protests promised, Take Back Power’s supermarket sweeps have ignited a fierce online debate.
Comments on social media posts range from, “I would have shot these people if I had the chance”, to “This is how you do it, now the whole nation should take part.”
Videos of the group are pitting law and order against desperation, and raising uncomfortable questions about inequality, waste and who really benefits from the current system.
Whether seen as modern day Robin Hoods, or reckless law breakers, Take Back Power show no signs of backing down.
Submitted Article
Headline
Short Headline
Standfirst
Published Article
HeadlineWannabe Robbing Hoods hit supermarkets
Short HeadlineWannabe Robbing Hoods in Supermarket Sweep
StandfirstA new activist group has sparked outrage after launching a coordinated nationwide shoplifting campaign.
Stunned shoppers watched as activists loaded trolleys inside a Lewisham Sainsbury’s this weekend, before setting up a makeshift stall outside to give food directly to passers-by.
Similar scenes have played out nationwide, with activists openly admitting they’ve broken the law.
But, they insist they’re justified.
The group, named Take Back Power, raided major supermarkets across multiple UK cities, walking out with boxes of goods without paying. Soon after, they handed them to food banks and local communities.
This group are calling on the UK government to start a ‘House of the People’. This would be a permanent rolling assembly that replaces the House of Lords. It would also include powers to tax the super-rich.
Take Back Power’s food stall outside Sainsburys
Speaking to City News, Luke, a member of the group, defended the controversial tactic, saying they took part in the raids as a means of showing both survival and struggle.
“We did it firstly to help people, because there’s a lot of people in this country struggling, but also to highlight the fact that millions are facing a cost of living crisis while a small group are making record-breaking profits.”
He pointed directly at supermarkets and political influence. “We have more food banks than we do McDonald’s nowadays,” he said. “That tells you everything.”
Luke also suggested the targeting of supermarkets was deliberate, as they make “record-breaking profits” during a crisis. He wants to highlight how “the rich are screwing over everyone else.”
These protests have already led to arrests.
One activist named David has been charged this week on grounds of “conspiracy to commit criminal damage” after the Met police travelled from London to Manchester to find his house.
A spokesperson told City News he was additionally charged on a separate offence.
Members remain defiant, and some say the law itself is part of the problem.
Olive, another member of the group, said decisions on what is and isn’t illegal, is hypocritical.
“You have these corporations making insane profits and I think that is stealing. That is stealing from our communities when there are families that cannot afford to put food on the table.”
She described the supermarket raids as “inspiring,” adding: “No one is holding these corporations, the super rich to account for this. Seeing people take back what is owed to our communities is so important. The government isn’t doing it, so we need to step up and do it ourselves.”
Adding fuel to the debate is testimony from a self-described “food waste inspector” who has gained a following of 85k on Instagram (@food_waste_inspector_), and 66k on TikTok. He posts videos of supermarkets bins after they’ve thrown away huge amounts of perfectly edible food every night.
“I’ve seen thousands of pounds worth of in-date food dumped. Families are going hungry while bins are full.”
He admitted the activists’ tactics are controversial, saying he doesn’t support theft, but does support what they are doing.
“Yes, it’s theft. But it highlights the bigger issue that supermarkets are not doing enough.”
With more protests promised, Take Back Power’s supermarket sweeps have ignited a fierce online debate.
Comments on social media posts range from, “I would have shot these people if I had the chance”, to “This is how you do it, now the whole nation should take part.”
Videos of the group are pitting law and order against desperation, and raising uncomfortable questions about inequality, waste and who really benefits from the current system.
Whether seen as modern day Robin Hoods, or reckless law breakers, Take Back Power show no signs of backing down.
