Five arrested after protestors target two Leicester companies over Israel – Hamas war

Activists from Palestine Action have launched protests at two businesses on Leicester’s Meridian Business Park this morning (October 26),

Protesters have broken onto the roof of Howmet Fastening Systems and locked themselves to the gates of UAV Tactical Systems.

The protest group claims that Howmet “proudly boasts” of the use of fastening systems in building the F-35 Ligtning II – a plane it claims is being used by Israelis to bomb Gaza.

Palestine Action says that UAV is making drones for the Israeli armed forces at its Leicester factory.

A statement from the group on social media said: “By shutting down the death merchants, they’ve prevented crucial parts for Israel’s war planes being used in the genocide of Gaza.”

A spokesperson for UAV said: “To be absolutely clear, U-TacS does not supply the Israeli military or Israeli Ministry of Defence. Any claims to the contrary are completely false.”

Leicestershire Police arrested three people at the UAV site; two women aged 62 and 26, and a man, aged 27. They also arrested a 26-year-old man and a 27-year-old woman in connection with the incident at Howmet.

Chief Inspector Rich Muldoon said: “A proactive policing plan remains in place and extra patrols are continuing in the area. We also continue to engage with those directly impacted by this report.

“An investigation is ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the reports made.

“Police continue to support the right to peacefully protest but we will also continue to take immediate action where reports of anyone seeking to commit crime or damage property are made.”

We have contacted Howmet for comment.