Nine people were arrested following a protest outside a drone components factory in Staffordshire on Monday, September 22. The protest took place at Lynn Lane in Shenstone, between Sutton Coldfield and Lichfield, at the site of the UAV Engines factory.
Staffordshire Police officers, including its protest removal team, attended the scene at 6.40am. The force said it worked to balance the rights of protestors against the rights of those affected by the protest.
Arrests and alleged offences
Four people were arrested on suspicion of locking on to a person, object or land to cause serious disruption. These included a 57-year-old man from the Stroud area, a 73-year-old man, a 39-year-old woman of no fixed address, and a 77-year-old man from the Bolton area.
A 55-year-old man of no fixed address was arrested on suspicion of wilful obstruction of a highway. Four other people were arrested on suspicion of both offences: a 74-year-old woman from the Powys area, a 63-year-old woman from the Radstock area, a 30-year-old woman from the Basildon area, and a 24-year-old woman from the London area.
Police statement and protest details
A spokesperson for Staffordshire Police said: “We have arrested nine people on suspicion of criminal offences following protest activity in Shenstone on Monday (September 22) morning. Officers, including our protest removal team, went to Lynn Lane following reports of a protest at 6.40am. We worked to balance the rights of the protestors against the rights of those affected by it, which includes minimising the impact of disruption to local businesses, the community and the road network. Protest activity in the area has now ended. Our enquiries are continuing.”
Protestors are understood to have blocked a road with a sign reading ‘Silence Elbit Drones’. UAV Engines makes engines for drones and is owned by Israeli firm Elbit Systems, which describes itself as an ‘innovative defence technology company’.
Company response and ongoing enquiries
Protestors have claimed the factory makes and exports equipment for the Israeli military. A spokesperson for UAV Engines Limited has previously denied the claim, stating: “The accusation UAV Engines Limited are exporting engines to Israel for use by the Israeli military is categorically false. 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. We continue to work with the appropriate authorities and police to prevent this disgraceful campaign of violence and intimidation, which brings disorder to the local area and disruption for residents.”
Police confirmed protest activity in the area has ended, and enquiries are continuing.
