Metropolitan Police have arrested several people after a group of demonstrators breached HMP Wormwood Scrubs in support of a Palestine Action hunger striker.
Protesters gathered outside the west London prison to back 22-year-old Umer Khalid, who has been on hunger strike since November.
He and seven others stopped eating in protest at charges linked to alleged break-ins and criminal damage carried out on behalf of the banned Palestine Action group.
Mr Khalid briefly paused his hunger strike in December due to health concerns, but has since resumed and is now refusing to drink water.
The Free Umer Khalid campaign urged supporters to attend a “solidarity protest” outside HMP Wormwood Scrubs at 8pm on Saturday.
Videos shared on the group’s social media appeared to show demonstrators inside a locker room within the prison.
Just over two hours after the protest began, the Metropolitan Police said they were “in the process of making a number of arrests outside HMP Wormwood Scrubs”.
In a statement, the force said officers were deployed after “protesters breached prison grounds”.
Videos shared on the group’s social media appeared to show demonstrators inside a locker room within the prison
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It read: “The group, who were protesting in support of a Palestine Action prisoner on hunger strike, refused to leave the grounds when ordered to do so.
“They allegedly blocked prison staff from entering and leaving, threatened police officers and a number managed to get inside a staff entrance area of a prison building.
“All those involved are currently detained and will be arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass.
“We will update on the number of arrests when all those involved have been taken into custody.”
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The Met Police said officers were deployed after ‘protesters breached prison grounds’
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HMP Wormwood Scrubs is a Category B jail situated in White City, west London
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Mr Khalid is the last remaining hunger striker after seven others ended their protests.
The 22-year-old has been in custody since his arrest over alleged involvement in disorder at RAF Brize Norton, where activists caused millions of pounds worth of damage.
He denies charges of criminal damage and entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the safety or interests of the UK.
Mr Khalid appeared at the Old Bailey via video link just over a week ago alongside Amy Gardiner-Gibson, Jony Cink, Daniel Jeronymides-Norie and Lewis Chiaramello.
Umer Khalid, 22, has been on hunger strike since November
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The case is scheduled to go to trial at the Old Bailey on January 18, 2027, with proceedings expected to last up to eight weeks.
HMP Wormwood Scrubs is a Category B jail situated in White City, west London, within the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.
Category B prisons typically hold serious offenders serving long sentences, as well as those on remand, with an emphasis on training and rehabilitation within a closed and secure environment.
The prison has previously held a number of high-profile inmates, including notorious offender Charles Bronson, as well as musicians Pete Doherty and Keith Richards.
