Banners were also attached to the front gate informing passers by of the deadly nature of production at the plant. Smiths Aerospace produce major electronic and flight control components for a huge and diverse range of military equipment including the F-16, Apache helicopter, guided missiles and ground based rocket launch systems. They are currently partnering Lockheed Martin in developing the new LOCAAS system – an intelligent bomb able to identify and locate a target without remote guidance or pre-programmed co-ordinates.

The Wolverhampton plant is at the heart of this area of the business, designing and producing flight actuation systems.

Four activists were arrested on coming down from the roof at five o’clock. They were handcuffed and taken to Cannock police station where they were charged under legislation used to stop scab workers being intimidated during industrial action by a trade union. The four deny intimidating anyone, and maintain that the police are, once again, abusing their powers in order to frighten and deter people from making lawful and legitimate protest.

Some of the activists were from Cardiff Anarchist Network, others from places as far afield as Manchester.