The Presteigne factory that suffered hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of damage at the hands of protestors has submitted plans for new security measures.
In plans that have been approved by Powys County Council's planning committee, Teledyne Labtech based in Presteigne has applied to install a new set of substantial fencing and anti-intruder roller spikes to keep the factory secure.
In their application the company asked permission to erect “2.4m high perimeter fencing with 2 gates and erection of 2.4 m high new compound fencing together with installation of roof top anti-climb roller spikes to part north facing and to part west facing areas of building.”
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The new spikes will act similarly to enlarged barbed wire around the edge of the roof of the building to avoid people being able to access the roof all part of a £900,000 project to secure the facility.
The application came after the facility was targeted by members of group Palestine Action in December last year, causing over £320,000 worth of damage – leading the four people involved to be sentenced for conspiracy to cause criminal damage last month.
During what the judge in the case described as an “episode of destruction”, two of the four protestors climbed on the roof smashing 17 skylight windows, causing glass to shower down on to the factory floor as well as drilling holes in the roof.
READ MORE: Hammer-wielding protestors behind destructive rampage at Powys factory jailed
The damage done to the factory was "extensive" and forced it to close for a week.
The four had come equipped with a sledgehammer, crowbar, a drill, smoke cannisters and a fire extinguisher which had been filled with red paint.
Paint was driven into the mechanisms of hot running equipment. Flares were lit near acid and alkaline baths.
In the chemical processing area, alkaline bath covers were smashed and paint was poured into them – causing fumes to leak from them – which the manager of the plant said was close to being a "catastrophically serious incident".
According to statements made by the company in court they said it was anticipated that the repairs to the factory will not be complete until the autumn.
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