Protesters climb on roof of Oldham factory and graffiti police van – five people have been arrested

Police arrested five people after protesters climbed onto the roof of a factory in Oldham.

Demonstrators scaled the Elbit Ferranti factory at around 6am this morning (Tuesday) and spray painted graffiti onto the walls.

The activists, believed to be from Palestine Action and Extinction Rebellion, also smashed windows of the building and spray painted a police van at the scene on Greenacres Road.

The protest comes weeks after the Ministry of Defence confirmed that Israeli company Elbit had won a contract for new ‘sensor to shoot’ systems.

The British Army has invested £102 million in the high-end surveillance system, which allows frontline soldiers to detect and engage enemy targets in seconds.

Just last month, demonstrators blockaded the gates to the factory and sprayed the words ‘Shut Elbit Down’ onto the building.

In an initial statement, police said two people had been arrested at the scene. They later said a total of five people were arrested.

Officers remained at the scene on Tuesday afternoon as demonstrators were still on the roof.

In a statement, a GMP spokesperson said: “Police were called at around 6am this morning (Tuesday 13 April) to a business premises on Greenacres Road in Oldham to reports of men on a roof.

“Officers are in attendance and found three men in orange jumpsuits on the roof of the building, as well as two protesters outside.

“Damage has been caused to the building, as well as a large amount of graffiti. A police van has also been spray painted.

“One arrest has been made, and emergency services are currently at the scene.”

In a statement issued later, GMP added: “Following an incident which began this morning at around 6am at a business premises on Greenacres Road, Oldham, police can confirm that a total of five people have been arrested.

“Two women have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and a further three men have been arrested on suspicion of burglary after being removed from the roof of the premises.”

Source: (MEN News)