Police officers reportedly stormed the Quakers' Westminster Meeting House on Thursday evening, arresting six young women attending a peaceful meeting focused on climate change and the Gaza conflict.

According to the Quakers, the incident occurred just before 7:15 pm, when more than 20 uniformed officers, some armed with tasers, reportedly broke open the front door of the Meeting House without prior warning or ringing the bell.

They then allegedly conducted a full search of the building and arrested the six individuals, who were using a rented room to hold the gathering.

The incident has sparked outrage among the Quakers, who claim it is a direct result of increasingly restrictive protest laws.

"We strongly condemn the violation of our place of worship," said a spokesperson for the Quakers. "This is a direct result of stricter protest laws that have stripped away nearly all avenues for challenging the status quo."

Paul Parker, Recording Clerk for Quakers in Britain, commented further on the incident, saying: "No-one has been arrested in a Quaker meeting house in living memory.

"This aggressive violation of our place of worship and the forceful removal of young people holding a protest group meeting clearly shows what happens when a society criminalises protest."

The Quakers, who have long championed nonviolent direct action in support of causes such as abolitionism, women’s suffrage, and prison reform, continue to advocate for the right to peaceful public protest.

"Freedom of speech, assembly, and fair trials are essential parts of free public debate, which underpin democracy," Parker added.

Premier has reached out to the Metropolitan Police for comment.