Police attacked with sledgehammer as prison van used in ram raid of South Gloucestershire business

A defence company based in South Gloucestershire was targeted by activists wielding sledgehammers in the early hours of Tuesday, August 6. Footage provided by activist group Palestine Action showed a van crashing through the fence of Elbit Systems UK's Horizon facility, located off Bolingbroke Way, Patchway, just before 4am.

Avon and Somerset Police reported that over a dozen individuals disembarked from the vehicle and commenced an attack on the building. Some staff members attempted to intervene but were assaulted with weapons, resulting in one person sustaining a head injury, according to police.

Two officers were assaulted with a sledgehammer during the incident. One officer was hospitalised with back injuries, while another was treated at the scene by paramedics after being hit on the back of his legs. The police confiscated sledgehambers, axes, whips and other homemade weapons left at the scene.

Palestine Action says that its activists used a prison van to smash into the building before machinery was damaged, including what appear to be drones, and red paint sprayed over the premises. Elbit Systems UK says that nothing it manufactures goes to the Israeli Defence Force and that its UK arm provides equipment to the British Military.

Following the ram raid, six people were arrested. However, the other attackers fled the scene and detectives are now keen to track them down.

'People willing to use significant violence'

Superintendent Paul Wigginton said: “This is a disturbing incident involving people willing to use significant violence against anyone who got in their way as they targeted this business. The criminal damage is bad enough but to attack people with weapons is outrageous.

“Some of those involved were able to flee the scene but detectives are already working hard to bring them into custody. There is no justification whatsoever for what happened and those responsible will face severe consequences.

“Enquiries are continuing at the premises and the vehicle used to gain entry to the site along with the weapons recovered will be forensically analysed soon. A full review of CCTV cameras from the area is also underway.”

'Those responsible can expect prison'

He added: “The officers who responded to what was initially a report of a burglary demonstrated great courage when faced with offenders armed with weapons. The Chief Constable has visited the officer who was taken to hospital and while she continues to receive treatment, thankfully her injuries are not serious.

“It is a sad fact that officers now expect to face acts of violence as they respond to crimes in action and protect the public. This is completely unacceptable and anyone responsible for such shameful behaviour can expect to go to prison.”

Palestine Action statement

A Palestine Action spokesperson said: "Israel's biggest weapons producer, Elbit Systems, uses Gaza as a laboratory to develop its weaponry. Activists directly intervened in this genocidal process by taking aim at Elbit's research, development and manufacturing hub.

"Britain has a responsibility to prevent the occurrence of genocide. When our government fails to abide by their legal and moral obligations, it's the responsibility of ordinary people to take direct action."

Elbit Systems UK has been approached for comment.

References

1. ^{^} Drink driver jailed for 18 years for killing boy and two women in 90mph crash (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
2. ^{^} Secret M5 junction and the abandoned West Country road that's a 'silent testament to the past' (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)