Activists protesting against tax avoidance by big businesses and individuals took over one of the UK’s busiest stores and forced it to close its doors to customers.
Retailer Topshop’s flagship branch in London’s Oxford Street was one of a series of stores where campaigners gathered in high streets across the country.
Protests were also planned for towns and cities including Glasgow, Leeds, Bristol, Liverpool, Manchester and Nottingham.
The West End protest started at 11am when protesters joined together inside Topshop and started blowing whistles and chanting as the store experienced one of its busiest shopping days of the year.
Many campaigners were forcibly removed from the premises by private security guards and police.
One campaigner, who wished to be known only as Lucy, said: “I am a peaceful protester. A woman was being thrown out of the store and I objected so I was picked up by two private security men.
“They lifted me by my ankles and my hair. It was quite scary really.”
Security guards also removed journalists from the store.
One female reporter was carried out by her arms and legs.
The activists, from UK Uncut, said they targeted the shop because it was part of Sir Philip Green’s Arcadia retail group.
