Arrests after protesters breach London prison grounds
The Met Police said they arrested a group of protesters on Saturday evening who “breached the prison grounds” at Wormwood Scrubs, west London.
The group was protesting in support of a suspected Palestine Action prisoner on hunger strike, the Met said, and allegedly threatened police and blocked prison staff from entering and leaving.
Campaign group Prisoners for Palestine identified the detainee as Muhammad Umer Khalid, 22, who they said began a thirst strike on Friday. He is awaiting trial for burglary at RAF Brize Norton last June. He denies the accusations.
The Met said everyone involved would be arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass after refusing to leave.
“A number of them managed to enter the staff entry area of a prison building,” the Met said, although it did not provide the number of arrests.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said “at no time was the security of the prison compromised” and called the action a “completely unacceptable” “escalation”.
“While we support the right to peaceful protest, reports of intrusions and threats made against staff and police officers are deeply concerning,” they said.
Prisoners for Palestine said there had been “at least 20 arrests.”
The group said Khalid suffered from limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, a genetic disorder, and was on an “extremely dangerous” thirst strike.
