Full Breakdown
Protest at UAV Engines Factory Leads to Nine Arrests
By Drooid · · How we work
Background and Context
On Monday, September 21, a protest was staged outside the UAV Engines plant on Lynn Lane in Shenstone, Staffordshire. The factory, a subsidiary of Israeli defence contractor Elbit Systems, manufactures engines for unmanned aerial vehicles. Demonstrators displayed a sign reading “Silence Elbit Drones” and claimed the site produces and exports equipment for the Israeli military.
Police Response and Legal Actions
Staffordshire Police arrived at approximately 06:40 BST and deployed officers, including a protest-removal team. After assessing the situation, they arrested nine individuals on suspicion of criminal offences. A 55-year-old man of no fixed address faced a charge of wilful obstruction of a highway. Four additional protesters were questioned on suspicion of both offences: a 74-year-old woman from Powys, a 63-year-old woman from Radstock, a 30-year-old woman from Basildon, and a 24-year-old woman from London. Police indicated the protest had ended and investigations were ongoing. A spokesperson reiterated that officers sought to balance the rights of demonstrators with those of local businesses, residents and the road network.
Company Statement
A spokesperson for UAV Engines Limited rejected the allegation that the firm exports engines to the Israeli military, describing the claim as “categorically false.”
Potential Implications
The arrests highlight heightened scrutiny of UK firms linked to foreign defence industries amid the Israel-Gaza conflict. Local authorities emphasized maintaining public order while respecting protest rights, and the company’s denial may prompt further inquiries into its export practices. The incident underscores the tension between activist opposition to overseas military actions and the operation of domestic defence suppliers.