Shenstone drone company attacked on Christmas day brands pro-Palestine protestors 'disgraceful'

Palestine Action used a cherry-picker lorry to smash part of UAV Engines Ltd's Lynn Lane factory on Christmas Day, having accused the company of supplying parts to weapons used to kill civilians in Gaza.

However, UAV Engines has repeatedly denied supplying any parts of drones used by the Israeli military.

In a statement to the Express & Star, the company said: "This disgraceful campaign of violence and intimidation has yet again brought disorder to the local area and disruption for residents, this time during the Christmas break. 

“We would like to restate that the accusation that UAV Engines Limited are exporting engines to Israel for use by the Israeli military is categorically false."

The company said Palestine Action was spreading "misinformation" about the company's legal trading to put it out of business.

The spokesman added: "UAV Engines Limited proudly offers engineering excellence, with locally designed and produced engines built by experienced and long-serving staff delivered to the UK armed forces and to customers around the world."

Staffordshire Police made five arrests on Christmas Day, releasing four on Boxing Day but remanding a fifth, which the group referred to as Bryn, in custody until the New Year.

A Palestine Action statement said: "The Christmas Day action saw two specially-modified vehicles arrive at the Shenstone site, equipped with cherry-pickers, from which activists smashed the factory structure, while the drivers of the vehicles locked-on, secured inside. 

"By breaking the walls of an Israeli weapons factory today, we are standing with the Palestinian people who remain occupied and under Israeli bombardment on Christmas day. Brick by brick, wall by wall, Israel’s weapons trade will fall.”