Pro-Palestinian demonstrators have taken their protest to new heights by climbing onto the roof of an Israeli-owned drone manufacturing facility, equipped with electric saws to breach the premises. Police have reported the arrest of six individuals involved in the incident.

The activists, affiliated with a group known as People Against Genocide, recorded their ascent of the UAV Tactical Systems facility in Braunstone, Leicester, early on Friday morning.

This company operates as a subsidiary of Elbit Systems, an Israeli weapons manufacturer. It specializes in producing military-grade drones for the British Army and international clients.

People Against Genocide, through its social media platforms, identifies itself as an organization committed to halting the UK-Israel arms trade, singling out Elbit Systems as a primary focus.

Footage shared by the group captures protesters, dressed in yellow jumpsuits, gloves, and hard hats, using electric saws to cut through the metal roofing. Sparks fly as they work, eventually peeling back the metal sheets to reveal the interior of the building.

They are then seen pulling the sheets back, exposing the building.

On one section of the roof the activists have spray-painted the words ‘Intifada Revolution’ and stuck down a poster stating ‘Free Palestine’, alongside a Palestinian flag. 

Another image shows the words ‘Shut Elbit down’, alongside a red upside triangle – a symbol widely used in Hamas propaganda videos to denote Israeli military targets. 

Members of People Against Genocide were filmed cutting into large sections of the metal sheeting on the roof with electric saws at UAV Tactical Systems in Leicester

On its social media, People Against Genocide describes itself as ‘a group taking direct action to stop the UK-Israel weapons trade’

A member of the group, referring to today being the 110th anniversary of the Easter Rising – and said ‘we are here, today, to shut Elbit down’ 

In a second video, a female activist said today’s action coincided with the 110th anniversary of the Easter Rising when Irish nationalists launched an armed revolt against British rule in Ireland.

She then said: ‘We are f****** sick and tired of our government’s collaboration in this genocide that Israel is committing against the Palestinian people. We are tired of them waiting to uphold international law.’

A video posted later by the group, shows some of the activists audaciously abseiling into the building and smashing equipment within the factory while hanging from the ropes. The internal pipework and equipment had also been widely sprayed with red paint.

Leicestershire Police said officers were called at 3.10am this morning following reports of a van having driven through a gate at the premises and activists causing damage to the building.

Six people have now been arrested, including a 41-year-old man on suspicion of conspiracy to commit criminal damage and a 28-year-old man on suspicion of causing criminal damage and assaulting an emergency worker.

A 27-year-old man, a 28-year-old man, a 25-year-old woman and a 31-year-old woman have also been arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage.

All six have also been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit burglary.

Counter terrorism police are now leading the investigation with the support of Leicestershire Police.

In a statement, Leicestershire Police said: ‘A proactive policing response is in place and officers remain at the scene. We also continue to engage with those directly impacted by this report.

‘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 to property are made.’

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting incident 65 of 24 April.

Activists have spray-painted the words ‘Shut Elbit down’, alongside a red upside triangle – a symbol widely used in Hamas propaganda videos to denote Israeli military targets

The group have also daubed the words ‘Intifada Revolution’ onto the roof and a poster stating ‘Free Palestine’, alongside a Palestinian flag

Some of the activists audaciously abseiled into the building and smashed equipment within the factory while hanging from the ropes

On Wednesday, People Against Genocide were filmed vandalising the offices of logistics company DSV in Birmingham. The group claims it transports weapons for Elbit

The action is the second carried out by the group in only two days, after protesters were filmed vandalising the Birmingham offices of logistics company DSV, located close to Birmingham Airport. The group claimed the business is used to transport weapons for Elbit.

Footage from the first incident on Wednesday shows a protester smashing a window with an axe, while a second activist attacks metal shutters with a saw. 

They are then seen spraying the window with red paint using what appears to be an adapted fire extinguisher. 

People Against Genocide have previously targeted Elbit Systems. In February activists blocked the entrance of the site in Filton, Bristol, with modified Transit vans. 

The same factory was the scene of a high-profile break-in carried out in August 2024 by members of Palestine Action – before the group was proscribed – that led to the arrest of 24 people. A trial is currently in process in relation to the incident. 

UAV Tactical Systems has also been targeted previously.

Last May, more than 50 members of the Leicester Palestine Solidarity Campaign participated in a ‘funeral-style procession’ outside the factory.

Drumming, chanting and waving Palestinian flags, they shouted ‘murderers’ at workers as they left the factory for the day. 

A month previously, Palestine Action dumped manure at the factory’s gates, while the group had also carried out other actions including members climbing the roof, chaining the gates shut and spraying the walls with red paint. 

The Government is currently appealing a High Court judgment earlier this year that ruled the proscription of Palestine Actions had been unlawful. 

Daily Mail has contacted UAV Tactical Systems and West Midlands Police for comment.