A school was placed in lockdown and four people were arrested after protestors smashed their way into a Powys factory this morning.

A man and three women remain in police custody after they were arrested at the Teledyne Labtech plant in Broadaxe Business Park in Presteigne.

The protestors from Palestine Action smashed their way into the building at around 6.35am this morning (December 9) – smashing windows and dousing the outside of the building in red paint, before gaining access to the building and destroying computers.

The incident also saw the John Beddoes Campus of Newtown High School placed in lockdown while the incident was dealt with.

Several protestors took to the roof of the building with the intention of ensuring the factory remains inoperable – and they are vowing to continue this action for as long as possible.

County Times: Palestine Action protestors broke into and destroyed equipment at Teledyne Labtech Ltd in Presteigne. Picture by Vladimir Morozov Palestine Action protestors broke into and destroyed equipment at Teledyne Labtech Ltd in Presteigne. Picture by Vladimir Morozov

Palestine Action said in a statement that the protest took place against Labtech’s alleged involvement in supplying military hardware to Israel.

In an update this lunchtime, a Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: "We were called to reports of a burglary at a property in Broadaxe Business Park, Presteigne, at around 6.35am.

"Officers attended and promptly arrested two women, aged 65 and 41, on suspicion of burglary, when it was established they were part of a protest group.

"Two of the group had made their way to the roof of the property. Following communication with officers, they came down at around 10.45am and the 34-year-old man and 39-year-old woman, were arrested on suspicion of burglary.

"All remain in police custody. Enquiries are ongoing."

A statement issued by Powys County Council shortly before 2pm added: "The council can confirm that the John Beddoes Campus of Newtown High School has been impacted by a protest at the town industrial estate that is next to the campus.

"Following advice from the police,  the school has been placed in a lockdown to keep pupils and school staff safe."