Latest news with #ShutDownLeonardo
Telegraph
2 hours 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
11 hours 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.
Metro
21 hours ago
- Metro
Three women arrested on terror charges after van driven into defense factory
Three women have been arrested under the Terrorism Act after driving a van draped in the Palestinian flag into a Scottish defence factory. The van rammed into a fence outside the Leonardo factory in the Crewe Road North area of Edinburgh earlier tonight. Police Scotland said three women, aged 31, 34 and 42, have been arrested under the Terrorism Act 2000. The three women photographed on the van smiled at the cameras, and one even showed off her handcuffs. Photos shared by the activist group 'Shut Down Leonardo' showed the van sticking partially out of the fence. The group says the Leonardo factory in Edinburgh helps make components for Israel's F-35 fighter jets. In early June, Leonardo was listed as one of the companies as part of what Francesca Albanese, the United Nations special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territory, called the 'economy of genocide'. Leonardo has previously been the target of aggressive protests. In October, the company put barbed wire on top of their fences after projectiles were thrown into the building's windows. The force said its Counter Terrorism Unit is leading the investigation, and inquiries are ongoing. A Leonardo spokesperson 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. More Trending '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. In March this year, Shut Down Leonardo cut off the electricity from the factory in Edinburgh. In December, 100 activists blocked the entrance to the site. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Teen dies after getting sucked into meat grinder at burrito factory MORE: Man stabbed in heart on Christmas Day 'by abusive ex when she saw him on Tinder' MORE: Up to 280 locations of popular store chain are facing closure amid bankruptcy
The Independent
a day ago
- The Independent
Three women arrested under Terrorism Act after van crashes into defence factory fence
Three women have been arrested under the Terrorism Act after a van was driven into a defence factory fence in Edinburgh on Tuesday. The incident took place at the premises of Leonardo, an aerospace, defence and security firm, in the Crewe Road North area of the city. Police Scotland said three women, aged 31, 34 and 42, have been arrested under the Terrorism Act 2000. The force said its Counter Terrorism Unit is leading the investigation and inquiries are ongoing. Pictures posted on social media by Shut Down Leonardo showed the front of the vehicle sticking through the fence, with a Palestinian flag draped over the rear of the vehicle. The group claims the factory makes components for Israel 's F-35 fighter jets. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: '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 15 July.' A Leonardo spokesperson 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.'
South Wales Guardian
a day ago
- South Wales Guardian
Three arrested under Terrorism Act after van crashes into defence factory fence
The incident happened at the Leonardo premises in the Crewe Road North area of Edinburgh on Tuesday. Pictures posted on social media by Shut Down Leonardo showed the front of the vehicle sticking through the fence, with a Palestinian flag draped over the rear of the vehicle. The group claims the factory makes components for Israel's F-35 fighter jets. Police Scotland said three women, aged 31, 34 and 42, have been arrested under the Terrorism Act 2000. The force said its Counter Terrorism Unit is leading the investigation and inquiries are ongoing. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: '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 15 July.' A Leonardo spokesperson 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.' Shut Down Leonardo was approached for comment.
