Seven arrested after drone factory protest
SEVEN people have been arrested after pro-Palestine activists “smashed a lorry” through the fences around Braunstone drone parts factory UAV Tactical Systems Ltd (U-TacS).
Police said officers attended the factory in the early hours after the force received reports of a van colliding with the gates.
They found a number of protesters had climbed on to the roof of the factory, in Meridian Business Park.
Palestine Action said its members had then used tools to break through the roof.
It said this was done to “expose the contents inside the murder factory”.
The protesters also sprayed red paint across the building, which they said was done to “symbolise the company’s involvement in spilling Palestinian blood”.
This is not the first time the group, which believes the factory, a subsidiary of Elbit Systems UK, is sending weapons to Israel, has targeted the site.
Elbit has denied the group’s allegations.
Six people have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, police said.
A seventh was arrested for public order offences.
A spokesman for U-TacS told the Mercury: “This shocking attack is a further escalation in violence from a known group whose reckless behaviour continues to threaten the safety of our employees and damages our property. Only good fortune prevented serious injury.
“We will work with the authorities to prosecute any person or group threatening the safety of our staff or committing criminal damage while we provide critical capability to the British armed forces.
“To be absolutely clear, U-TacS does not supply the Israeli military or Israeli Ministry of Defence. Any claims to the contrary are completely false.
“This group is using misinformation as a tactic to recruit people to join them and commit acts which could have serious legal consequences for those individuals.”
A spokeswoman for police said yesterday: “At 5.36am it was reported to police that a van had collided with the gates of a premises at the Meridian Business Park.
“A number of protesters had then entered into the site and climbed on to the roof of the building and on to the roof of the van.
“Six people have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and one person has been arrested for public order offences.
“All remain in police custody. Officers remain at the scene as evidence continues to be gathered and enquiries continue.”
Two men were charged by the police last month after protesters were reported to have crashed two cars into the bollards outside the premises.
In November, four people were charged after the group blockaded the route to the factory.
Protesters locked themselves to the vehicles, calling for the factory to be shut, and preventing staff access to the site.
PALESTINE ACTION SAYS MEMBERS BROKE THROUGH THE ROOF