Latest news with #LeonardoUK
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Three women arrested under Terrorism Act for driving van into defence factory
Three women have been arrested under the Terrorism Act after a van was driven into a fence surrounding a defence factory in Edinburgh. Pro-Palestinian protesters targeted the Leonardo UK facility on Tuesday morning. Activist group Shut Down Leonardo Edinburgh said the protest was over the firm's laser targeting systems for fighter jets, which it claimed were used by the Israeli military. The Italian-owned manufacturer supplies parts for jets and helicopters, including Eurofighter Typhoon components and radar systems for Nato partners. Leonardo's Edinburgh website states the site employs about 1,800 people who 'specialise in the provision of multi-role surveillance radars and countermeasure systems'. In a statement, Police Scotland said: 'Three women, aged 31, 34 and 42, have been arrested under the Terrorism Act 2000 after a van was driven into an external fence of a business premises in Edinburgh. 'Police Scotland's counter-terrorism unit are leading the investigation and inquiries are ongoing. We are treating this as targeted, and we do not believe there is any wider threat to the public.' A Leonardo spokesman said: 'Leonardo UK is subject to UK government export controls and does not supply equipment directly to Israel. 'The right to peaceful protest is an important principle in our society, however, aggressive and violent activity should have no place in protest. 'The intimidation of our people, who work hard to support the security and defence of the UK, is not acceptable. 'Our main customer is the UK Armed Forces. We are proud to manufacture technology that supports our service personnel and helps keep them safe. Their dedication underpins the freedom on which our society is based.' Shut Down Leonardo was approached for comment.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Daily Mail
Three women are arrested on terror offences after van slammed into defence manufacturer
Three women have been arrested under anti-terror laws after a van smashed into the fence of a major UK defence manufacturer in a protest reportedly linked to the war in Gaza. The early morning incident unfolded near Leonardo UK's site on Crewe Road North in Edinburgh on Tuesday, where the facility's perimeter was left damaged and daubed in white paint as pro-Palestinian protesters scaled the fence and unfurled a Palestinian flag. The arrested women, aged 31, 34 and 42, were held under the Terrorism Act 2000 after the vehicle crashed into the site's security barrier. Police Scotland's Counter Terrorism Unit is now leading the investigation. It comes amid heightened tensions around UK-based arms suppliers accused by campaigners of contributing to Israel 's military operations. The protest group Shut Down Leonardo Edinburgh claimed responsibility, accusing the company of manufacturing laser targeting systems for Israel's F-35 fighter jets. One witness at the scene said: 'There's loads of police in helmets and they've surrounded a van parked up against the fence of the factory. It looks like they're trying to get into the van with an electric saw.' Specialist police officers wearing helmets and harnesses were seen climbing onto the roof of the van in the tense moments before the arrests. In total, five police vans and riot officers had reportedly been stationed in the area, with some based at a nearby Morrisons supermarket car park. Police say they believe the incident was 'targeted' but confirmed there is no wider threat to the public. In a statement, a spokesperson for Police Scotland said: 'Three women, aged 31, 34 and 42, have been arrested under the Terrorism Act 2000 after a van was driven into an external fence of a business premises in Edinburgh. The incident happened during a disturbance in the Crewe Road North area of the city on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. 'Police Scotland's Counter Terrorism Unit are leading the investigation and enquiries are ongoing. We are treating this as targeted, and we do not believe there is any wider threat to the public. 'If anyone was on Crewe Road North or in the nearby supermarket car park during the early hours of this morning and has any relevant dashcam footage or saw anything suspicious, please contact the Police on 101 quoting reference 0416 of July 15.' The protest group behind the action later posted images of the crash, writing: 'We're taking action to shut down Leonardo's weapons factory in Edinburgh.' Shut Down Leonardo has previously accused the factory of producing components for Israel's warplanes and said its aim was to stop the 'production of Palestinian slaughter'. The site has been the scene of repeated protests in recent months. Back in December, activists daubed red paint on the facility and unfurled banners reading 'stop arming genocide'. At the time, and again following Tuesday's incident, Leonardo UK denied supplying weapons directly to Israel, insisting that it operates under strict UK government export controls. In a statement, the company said: 'Leonardo UK is subject to UK government export controls and does not supply equipment direct to Israel. 'The right to peaceful protest is an important principle in our society, however, aggressive and violent activity should have no place in protest. 'The intimidation of our people, who work hard to support the security and defence of the UK, is not acceptable. 'Our main customer is the UK Armed Forces. We are proud to manufacture technology that supports our service personnel and helps keep them safe. Their dedication underpins the freedom on which our society is based.' The protest comes just weeks after the UK government formally banned the group Palestine Action, naming it a terrorist organisation after a series of raids and attacks on defence-linked sites. Police enquiries remain ongoing, with officers appealing for dashcam footage or witnesses in the area on Tuesday morning.
Scotsman
4 days ago
- Scotsman
Three women arrested under Terrorism Act after van driven into Leonardo building fence in Edinburgh
Three women have been arrested after a van was driven into an external fence of the Leonardo UK building in Edinburgh. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The women, aged 31, 34 and 42, were arrested under the Terrorism Act 2000 following the incident which happened on Crewe Road North in the early hours of Tuesday, July 15. Earlier today, activist group Shut Down Leonardo Edinburgh, took responsibility for the incident, claiming the arms company 'supplies parts for the F-35 jets and Apache helicopters used in Israel's war against the Palestinians' adding 'as ordinary people, we felt compelled to take action to protest the Leonardo's role in genocide.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad On Tuesday, July 15, a van was driven into the Leonardo UK building in Edinburgh | Shut Down Leonardo Edinburgh Police Scotland's Counter Terrorism Unit are leading the investigation with the force treating the incident as 'targeted'. They do not believe there is any wider threat to the public. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'Three women, aged 31, 34 and 42, have been arrested under the Terrorism Act 2000 after a van was driven into an external fence of a business premises in Edinburgh. 'The incident happened during a disturbance in the Crewe Road North area of the city on Tuesday, July 15. Police Scotland's Counter Terrorism Unit are leading the investigation and enquiries are ongoing. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We are treating this as targeted, and we do not believe there is any wider threat to the public. If anyone was on Crewe Road North or in the nearby supermarket carpark during the early hours of this morning and has any relevant dashcam footage or saw anything suspicious, please contact the Police on 101 quoting reference 0416 of July 15.'
Scotsman
4 days ago
- Scotsman
Three women arrested after protestors drive van into Scottish defence factory
There was a large police presence in the area. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Three women have been arrested after an alleged disturbance at a defence factory in Edinburgh. On Tuesday morning, Leonardo UK's facility in the Crewe Road area of the city was targeted by protesters. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The BBC are reporting that activist group Shut Down Leonardo Edinburgh said they had targeted the plant in a protest over the firm's laser targeting systems, which it claimed were used by the Israeli military. Around five police cars were spotted in the Morrisons car park at Ferry Road after officers were called. A cordon was erected as officers guarded the scene. Three women aged 31, 34 and 42 have now been arrested and enquiries remain ongoing. Officers attended the scene on Tuesday morning. | Adobe A police spokesperson said: "Officers were called to an ongoing disturbance in the Crewe Road North area of Edinburgh on the morning of Tuesday, July 15.
BBC News
4 days ago
- BBC News
Protesters drive van into Edinburgh defence factory
Three women have been arrested after a van was driven into a fence surrounding a defence factory in UK's facility in the Crewe Road area was targeted by protesters, who also daubed paint on the outside of the building on Tuesday group Shut Down Leonardo Edinburgh said they had targeted the plant in a protest over the firm's laser targeting systems, which it claimed were used by the Israeli said inquiries were ongoing and confirmed three women, aged 31, 34 and 42, had been arrested in connection with the incident. Leonardo has been contacted for comment.
