PROTESTERS remain on the roof of a factory in Glasgow around 10 hours after they first gained access.
We previously reported that the Thales UK Ltd facility in Govan had been forced to evacuate and halt operations due to the Palestine Action Scotland activists.
The organisation manufactures military drones and missile systems among other weaponry. The company has also worked alongside the Israeli weapons firm Elbit Systems on the Watchkeeper Drone scheme.
A team of around six activists, dressed in red, made their way onto the roof of the building in the early hours of this morning with Palestine flags.
Police first spotted the protesters at 6.25am, and officers remain at the scene with them.
The activists say they have dismantled and destroyed factory equipment and facilities.
They say Thales is "one of the world's largest arms companies - producing armoured vehicles, missile systems and military UAVs (drones) - in particular, the Watchkeeper drone, used for surveillance and combat on captive populations".
More than half a dozen police vans lined a nearby street.
Chief Superintendent Mark Sutherland revealed no arrests have been made so far and an investigation into damaged property is ongoing.
Several protesters have also gathered outside the grounds at Thales.
They held signs reading "Free Palestine" and "Invest in people, not nuclear weapons".
Sutherland, Divisional Commander for Greater Glasgow, said: "Around 6.25 am this morning, police officers on routine patrol noticed protesters had accessed the Thales UK Ltd site on Linthouse Road, Govan.
"The protesters managed to gain access to the roof of the main building and they remain there at this time. A number of further protesters have congregated on the footpath outside the premises.
"Our policing role is to ensure public safety and to balance the rights of protestors with those of Thales UK, their staff and the wider public. We are liaising with Thales UK and attempts to engage with the protestors have been ongoing and continue.
"There are obvious safety concerns when dealing with protestors at height and we will continue to focus on a safe and proportionate response.
"No arrests have been made at this time and enquiries are ongoing into reports of damaged property.
“There are no road restrictions around the area, so local roads, businesses, and the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital are not affected at this time."
