Nine arrested after protest at drone factory

Nine people opposed to Israel's military action in Gaza have been arrested after a protest at a drone factory.

Police were called to UAV Engines, a subsidiary of Israeli firm Elbit Systems, in Shenstone, Staffordshire, at 06:40 BST on Monday.

Four people were held on suspicion of the charge of "lock on to person/object/land to cause serious disruption". They are two men aged 57 and 73 from the Stroud area of Gloucestershire; a 39-year-old woman of no fixed address; and a 77-year-old man from the Bolton area.

A man, 55, of no fixed address, was arrested on suspicion of wilful obstruction on a highway. Four others were questioned on suspicion of both offences, Staffordshire Police said.

They are a 74-year-old woman from Powys, mid Wales; a 63-year-old woman from the Radstock area in Somerset, a 30-year-old woman from Basildon, Essex; and a 24-year-old woman from London.

The police force said protest activity in the area had finished and inquiries were continuing.

Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.