POLICE have confirmed that there were eight arrests after protesters attacked Elbit-Ferranti factory in Waterhead on Monday.

The protest was part of a long-running campaign by the Palestine Action group to prevent Israeli-owned company manufacturing what it claims are weapons.

They were joined by members of Extinction Rebellion North and the two groups claim they caused about £20,000 worth of damage to the Cairo House factory on Greenacres Road.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: " Officers attended after receiving reports that the building had been damaged.

"Eight people, aged between 20 and 40, were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and aggravated trespass.

"They have been released on bail pending further enquiries. An investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information should contact police quoting 241 01/02/2021 or the independent charity - Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111."

The protesters say Facebook have removed the Palestine Action page for sharing live stream from XR North's page which remains up.

Activists attacked the factory in the early hours of Monday morning with six blockading three entrances and another two climbing onto the roof.

They daubed the premises with red paint and smashed windows.

Commenting on the Oldham factory blockade and Facebook's move, a member of Palestine Action said: "Yesterday's action was a huge success and demonstrates the strength in building alliances across movements especially when humanity and the world we live face the biggest challenges to its existence.

"This is only the beginning of such an action, and we will honour our commitment to continue to escalate with XR and shut Elbit down for good."

The protest came after the Ministry of Defence handed Elbit a £102million contract for new "sensor to shoot" systems, earlier this month.

The groups say since 2018, the British government has bought £45m worth of military equipment from the arms firm.

Extinction Rebellion and Palestine Action want the UK government to end its relationship with Elbit and what they claim is its "complicity in Israeli apartheid".

The company has repeatedly refused to comment when approached by The Oldham Times.

Peace activists staged a rooftop protest at the factory in the summer of 2019 and a vigil in October last year.