Activists from a pro-Palestinian protest network have smashed their way into a factory in Presteigne.
Earlier this morning (Friday), protesters from Palestine Action smashed through windows at Teledyne Labtech Ltd in Broadaxe Business Park and began dismantling the factory of the American-owned firm, forcing closure of site.
Activists took apart offices and broke computers, before taking to the roof to deem the factory inoperable.
A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said this morning: “A large number of police are currently at an industrial site in Presteigne where there is an ongoing protest.
"Damage has been caused to a building, and there are people on the roof. Officers are working to bring them down safely.”
Police confirmed in the afternoon that those on the roof had come down safely at about 10:45am, after communicating with officers.
Four people have been arrested.
Officers were called first called to Broadaxe Business Park at about 6:35am and arrested two women aged 65 and 41, on suspicion of burglary.
The two people who were on the roof of the property, a 34-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman, were also arrested on suspicion of burglary.
All remain in custody and enquiries are ongoing.
Cllr Beverley Baynham said on her Twitter account that the protesters had caused “a huge amount of criminal damage" and urged people to avoid the area.
The Presteigne councillor said that police had locked down the area in the morning.
She said children in the nearby John Beddoes Secondary School were fine and in no danger.
Palestine Action said the reason behind the protests is to stop the manufacture or shipment of Israel’s drone technologies and military gear.
The group said they oppose Labtech’s involvement in supplying military hardware to Israel - adding that they vow to continue the action for as long as possible.
The group said on their website: “Britain is now a hostile environment for all companies involved in the brutalisation and murder of Palestinians. Elbit Systems is one such company, but Teledyne Technologies are another major player.
“They supply surveillance equipment for Israel’s apartheid wall, and targeting systems for their fleet of combat drones. Tackling the imperialist hydra means cutting off all its heads, so we will shut down each and every company complicit in the ongoing colonisation of Palestine.”