UK police arrest 86 after protest group breaches Wormwood Scrubs prison grounds

What happened outside Wormwood Scrubs

UK police arrested 86 people after a protest at HMP Wormwood Scrubs in west London, where demonstrators gathered in support of a Palestine Action-linked activist reported to be on hunger strike. Police said the group breached prison grounds and remained on site despite instructions to leave.

What police allege

The Metropolitan Police said those detained were suspected of aggravated trespass. In statements reported by Sky News, officers alleged demonstrators refused to leave when told to do so, blocked prison staff from entering or leaving the facility, and issued threats toward police. Police also said some of the group got into a staff entrance area of a prison building, though it was understood they did not get past security.

What protesters say they were there for

Coverage from multiple outlets says the protest was connected to support for Umer Khalid, described as a Palestine Action-linked activist who had resumed or continued a hunger strike. Reports characterize the protest as part of a wider campaign focused on detainees and protest actions linked to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Official reaction and broader context

The incident has added to a tense public debate in the UK over protest tactics, enforcement, and prison security. Authorities emphasized that prison security was not compromised, while framing the alleged trespass and disruption as unacceptable. The arrests highlight how protests related to Gaza and pro-Palestinian activism continue to produce flashpoints around public order and policing.

What comes next

The 86 people arrested may face further legal processing tied to aggravated trespass allegations. The case is likely to generate renewed scrutiny of policing decisions and protest boundaries, particularly where protests occur at sensitive sites such as prisons.