Huge Edinburgh police presence as protesters 'blockade' factory

A heavy police presence was spotted outside of the Leonardo facility.
A heavy police presence was spotted outside of the Leonardo facility. -Credit:Hasan Ghani


Edinburgh activists clad in black could be seen lying on the floor in front of the entrance to Leonardo on Crewe Road North at around 6am on Wednesday, May 8.

A heavy police presence has been spotted outside of Leonardo, who specialise in aerospace, defence and security, as they respond to the ongoing protest.

It is understood that pro-Palestinian protestors have targeted Leonardo due to its assumed part in the supply of defence equipment to Israel.

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So far, around 35,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the recent violence erupted following a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7.

It is believed that several arrests have taken place at the scene of the disturbance.

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Around a dozen police vehicles were pictured at the scene and around half a dozen officers were spotted by protestors that were lying down on the zebra crossings at the road entrance into the facility.

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Police Scotland have been approached for comment.