Two women arrested after protestors lock themselves to car outside gates of Midlands drone engine factory

Two women have been arrested after protestors blocked off the entrance to a Midlands drone engine factory. The women, a 44-year-old from Scotland and a 64-year-old from London, were arrested for 'lock on' offences at UAV Engines Ltd based in Shenstone.

Staffordshire Police said it was called to the scene at 7.35am today (November 25) following reports the factory's entrance had become blocked. Palestine Action, which carried out the protest, said protestors had locked themselves onto the inside of vehicles outside the front gate to "prevent production" of the Israeli-owned company's drone engines.

A Staffordshire Police spokesperson said: "Two people have been arrested for lock on offences following protest activity in Shenstone. At about 7.35am this morning, we were called to an address on Lynn Lane following reports of the entrance being blocked off.

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"A number of people also arrived and began engaging in a peaceful protest. Officers were deployed to ensure the safety of employees, members of the community and protestors at the site.

"A 44-year-old woman from Angus, Scotland, has been arrested on suspicion of locking on to a person or object to cause serious disruption and using violence or intimidation on person, family or property to compel activity or abstention from lawful activity. A 64-year-old woman, from London, has been arrested on suspicion of locking on to a person or object to cause serious disruption.
"They remain in custody. Officers will continue to facilitate the right to a peaceful protest but will act against those who engage in criminal activity."

Palestine Action has carried out protests at the factory, which is owned by Elbit Systems Ltd, for a number of years as it claims the company makes 'parts used in Israeli combat drones'. UAV Engines Limited categorically denies it.

A spokesperson for Palestine Action said: "This morning, activists have returned to the site of UAV Engines, locking on inside vehicles in front of the gates of the factory to prevent the production of Israeli drone engines." The spokesperson added: "While the company denies it exports to Israel, export license data for military end-use by the State of Israel proves their denials false."

A UAV Engines Ltd spokesperson previously said in June: "The accusation that UAV Engines Limited are exporting engines to Israel for use by the Israeli military is categorically false. This is misinformation propagated by a group attempting to illegally prevent a lawful UK business from operating.

"UAV Engines Limited proudly offers engineering excellence, with locally designed and produced engines built by experienced and long-serving staff delivered to the UK armed forces and to customers around the world."

UAV Engines Ltd was approached for comment following the protest today.