A group called Palestine Action have occupied the roof of defence contractor Leonardo UK in Southampton today (Thursday, November 16).

They say they have "occupied the rooftop, shutting down production at the site" at Millbrook Industrial Estate because the firm "supplies Israel".

Activists say they will stay put "for as long as possible to maximise disruption".

The activity at the Southampton Leonardo UK factory follows the group's occupation of the Leonardo UK head office on November 2.

Footage has shown that the activists on the roof have begun hitting parts of the building with sledgehammers.

The group claims activists "are now in prime position and have begun dismantling the building".

The action likely relates to the current conflict between Hamas and Israel, with Israel having bombed Gaza frequently since Hamas' attack on October 7.

Who are Palestine Action?

On its website, Palestine Action describes itself as a group that takes "direct action against Israel's arms trade in Britain".

It formed in July 2020 and uses civil disobedience tactics to disrupt the operations of defence contractors.

Their first notable action was when activists broke into and spray-painted the interior of Elbit Systems' UK headquarters in London.

Other companies that have been targeted include an APPH drone factory in Runcorn, an Arconic factory in Kitts Green and a drone factory of UAV Tactical Systems at Meridian Business Park in Braunstone.

Recently the group blockaded the Elbit Systems Instro Precision factory in Sandwich, Kent.

Earlier this month, three women from the group also targeted Leonardo UK's Edinburgh site.

They have since been arrested and charged.