Activists bailed after protests at defence firm

Four activists have been released on police bail

Four activists who staged a protest outside a defence firm have been released on bail.

Palestine Action said its members blocked the entrance to two Elbit Systems UK sites in Bristol by using equipment to lock themselves inside a vehicle.

They were arrested on Tuesday after police received a call at about 06:45 GMT to two business premises at Aztec West Business and Patchway.

Avon and Somerset police said the four were arrested on suspicion of a public order offence and have since been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Elbit Systems, which is based in Israel, is a global defence contractor.

However, Elbit UK is run as a separate company, and told the BBC: "We are proud to provide critical support and advanced technology to the British armed forces from our sites in Bristol, and this work has continued uninterrupted today.

"Any claims that these facilities supply the Israeli military or Israeli Ministry of Defence are completely false."