Protesters pour out milk at London stores

Activists have staged protests at Selfridges and Fortnum & Mason in London.

Video released by the group Animal Rebellion showed two people pouring out milk taken from the shelves of the shops.

The demonstrators say they want to highlight the need to transition to a plant-based food system.

Animal Rebellion said that the man and woman involved were Steve Bone, a photographer from Thorpe-Le-Soken, Essex and Sofia Fernandes Pontes, a student from Madeira, Portugal.

Mr Bone and Ms Fernandes Pontes entered Fortnum & Mason on Piccadilly at 11.35am, took milk from the shelves and emptied it onto the floor of the shop.

A video showed them then being escorted towards the exit by security staff. The same two activists then entered Selfridges on Oxford Street around 12.30pm.

They were filmed pouring milk over a cheese display. One person off-camera asked staff: "Do you guys not intervene?"

The member of staff replied: "We're not allowed to."

Animal Rebellion said that the pair took action "to highlight the need to transition to a plant-based food system and a sustainable way of feeding the planet, without exploitation of animals".

Ms Fernandes Pontes said: "I don't want to see my children grow up in a world surrounded by drought, destruction of nature, and food shortages. I want them to see a world full of wildlife and beauty.

"Transitioning to a plant-based future is simply essential if we want to see a better world for everyone, supporting farmers to move into profitable and sustainable plant-based production is a no-brainer for (Prime Minister) Liz Truss and (Environment Secretary) Ranil Jayawardena."

Mr Bone said: "I took action throughout September to push for a plant-based future, and I am taking action again today because Liz Truss and Ranil Jayawardena are still refusing to listen.

"My little girl's future is on the line and the Government's response is to ignore advice from Oxford and Harvard and, instead, opt to drive us all further into the climate, ecological, and cost-of-living crises."

The action comes the day before Animal Rebellion plan to occupy the capital.

The Metropolitan Police have said that they have made no arrests but that they were called to Selfridges and Fortnum & Mason after two activists poured out milk in the stores.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: "Officers were today, Friday October 7, called at approx. 1235 and attended reports of criminal damage at a business premises on Oxford Street, W1A. No one was arrested. Inquiries continue.

"Separately officers attended a business premises in Piccadilly, W1A just before 12:00 on Friday October 7 to reports of criminal damage. No one was arrested. Enquiries continue."

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