Moment pro-Palestine protesters invade drone factory in Leicester
Moment Palestine Action protestors throw flares and wave flags from top of a van after smashing through gates of Israeli drone factory – as police ramp up patrols in London ahead of vigil for Gaza victims tonight
Pro-Palestine protesters rammed a van through the gates of a drone factory in Leicester today after accusing the site of producing arms for Israel.
Dramatic video from this morning shows a security guard trying to use a weapon to push demonstrators down from the top of a van as they fought back with a ladder.
Police then arrive and threaten to Taser the man as he shouts ‘I’m with you, I’m security!’
The chaotic scenes took place at a factory in Leicester run by UAV Tactical Systems, a French-Israeli company activists believe supplies Israel’s military.
By 1.30pm as many as 20 police officers remained at the site with two protesters still on the roof of the van.
It comes as police in London ramped up patrols in preparation for a vigil held by Stop The War on Whitehall at 5pm.
The group said the protest was in response to the deaths of hundreds of people after an explosion at the Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza.
Israel’s Defence Forces have published evidence they say proves the blast was caused by a misfiring rocket from Palestinian terror group Islamic Jihad.
It comes as footage emerged of pro-Palestine activists throwing flares and waving Palestinian flags at a factory in Leicester run by UAV Tactical Systems, an Israel-French drone company
Dramatic video shows a security guard trying to use a weapon to push demonstrators down from the top of a van as they fought back with a ladder
The Met said: ‘We will have additional officers deployed to the area to ensure that the event takes place safely.
‘We encourage anyone who intends to hold an event to speak with police so we can co-ordinate plans.’
READ MORE – Police hunt for man in his work hi-vis who was caught scrawling ‘coloniser’ onto posters of innocent children kidnapped by Hamas
The UAV Tactical Systems factory in the south of Leicester has long been a focus of protests.
A planned demonstration outside the factory in May saw Leicestershire Police block the road with a large metal barricade.
A spokesperson for Leicestershire Police said: ‘Police were called at approximately 7.50am today (October 18) to reports of a vehicle attempting to gain access to business premises.
‘A vehicle driven by protesters is believed to have breached the gate, causing criminal damage to the surrounding area and other vehicles. Protesters remain on top of the vehicle and police are engaging with them to bring the incident to a safe close.
‘We have commenced an investigation into what has happened and will be identifying and arresting those who have broken the law.
‘Road closures are in place and there will be some disruption to local businesses whilst this matter is brought to a conclusion.’
Police then arrive and threaten to Taser the man as he shouts ‘I’m security!’
Police in London ramped up patrols today in preparation for a vigil held on Whitehall at 5pm
A major security operation was put in place at Wembley last night before England’s Euros qualifier against Italy.
A man was heard shouting ‘Free Palestine’ at the start of the silence, prompting some fans to boo.
Police across Europe have been on high alert after two people were killed during a terror attack in Brussels on Monday.
It comes as the Met continue to hunt a man caught scrawling ‘coloniser’ over posters of innocent children kidnapped by Hamas.
Footage of the encounter in London shows the man, who is wearing a high-vis jacket revealing his employer’s logo, being confronted by a member of the public as he walks up to the billboards.
The woman slams him for his actions, saying ‘I know people who have died’ in the conflict that has claimed thousands of lives so far in the Middle East.
Police officers were seen walking in the streets around Wembley Stadium yesterday as they looked to reassure spectators after Monday’s terror attack in Brussels
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