Police have confirmed a woman was arrested as protests continued at a Shenstone factory over the weekend.
Officers were called to UAV Engines on Lynn Lane at 5.45pm on Sunday (18th September).
A Staffordshire Police spokesperson said:
“A 32-year-old woman, from Brighton, was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.
“She has been released on conditional bail pending further enquiries.”
Staffordshire Police spokesperson
The Palestine Action group confirmed the incident was part of a series of protests taking place at the factory over claims engines manufactured in Shenstone are used in Elbit Systems drones used by the Israeli military.
A spokesperson for for the organisation said red paint was sprayed over the walls at the site – and insisted action would continue.
“Our operations in Shenstone will end when Elbit’s operations end.”
Palestine Action spokesperson
An Elbit Systems UK spokesperson said:
“On Sunday, an individual sprayed paint on an outside wall and was promptly arrested.
“Our critical work supporting the UK armed forces was uninterrupted by this vandalism.”
Elbit Systems UK spokesperson
The people in the village are sick and tired of these protestors whose goal is to get themselves arrested for causing criminal damage. They have tormented the security guards and police and continue to threaten and intimidate the residents in the village. UAV Engines is like any other business, it does not make weapons or drones. Yes, it is time to end this operation by throwing the founders of Palestine Action in prison for a few years.
I wonder how long it will be before baying mobs of vigilante groups start proliferating in the area and it becomes ‘riot central?
Not exactly what I’m personally advocating but it does seem that this sorry situation in Shenstone is now getting beyond the joke!