By Joseph Gamp

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Police have shut several roads after Pro-Palestine protesters gathered at a drone factory and reportedly locked themselves onto the top of a van.

Leicestershire Police was called just before 5.15am today following reports of the incident at UAV Tactical Systems, in Braunstone Town. Cops say they found a van had allegedly been driven into bollards outside the factory, and that people had allegedly locked themselves onto the top of the van and others onto a fence.

Police have since confirmed a woman, 24, has been arrested on suspicion of being equipped for locking on – a term used to describe people who lock themselves on to railings, fixtures and other structures. The force confirmed she remains in police custody while officers remain at the scene, where they are dealing with the incident.

As a result, all routes near the business park have been closed to the public, with Meridian East to Centurion Way shut. A large section around Meridian East and Blue Bell Wood is also affected with drivers urged to seek alternative routes.

A local resident told LeicestershireLive they saw smoke coming from the site shortly after 7am. The source of the smoke is not yet known, but Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service have been pictured at the scene.

People Against Genocide, which describes itself as a pro-Palestine direct action group, has taken claim for the protests this morning.

The group claimed in the statement that UAV Tactical Systems’ majority shareholder Elbit Systems was “Israel’s biggest weapons maker”. However, a spokesperson for UAV Tactical Systems (U-TacS) previous said last year, after protesters targeted the same factory: “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. This group [the now proscribed Palestine Action] is using misinformation as a tactic to recruit people to join them and commit acts which could have serious legal consequences for those individuals.”

A statement from Leicestershire Police reads: “Just before 5.15am today (Tuesday 23 September) a report was received that a van had deliberately been driven at bollards outside premises at the Meridian Business Park.

“Officers were deployed and found that a group had locked themselves onto the top of the van. It was also established that another group had locked themselves onto a nearby fence.

“Officers are in attendance and one person – a 24-year-old woman – has been arrested on suspicion of being equipped for locking on. She remains in custody at this time. Officers remain at the scene.

“The force supports the right to protest peacefully but will take immediate action against those who are seeking to commit crime and damage property.”

Protesters have targeted the UAV factory on a number of occasions in recent years. In May, the Leicester Palestine Solidarity Campaign, along with other groups, organised a funeral-style procession as factory workers left for the day.