Around 20 protestors waved placards and banners outside a manufacturing and technology firm on the Langage Science Park yesterday morning.
Police were called to G&H Artemis, at Western Wood Way, Langage Science Park shortly after 8am today [January 13] after the protestors pitched up outside the company building and began to block the entrance of the firm’s car park.
Chief Insp Zoe Smith, bronze commander for Devon and Cornwall Police’s public order team, said staff at the building called police. Response officers were initially deployed but they were soon joined by officers from the public order team, drone unit officers and specially trained protest liaison officers.
Chief Insp Smith said many of the protestors had face coverings and the banners appeared to suggest they were “supportive of Palestine”.
She said the drone unit was deployed to protect the site and ascertain any movement by the protestors, noting that it was bordered by an area of woodland.
Police called to peaceful protest outside G & H Artemis firm at Western Wood Way, Langage Science Park in Plympton (Handmade sign “No More Genocide” placed on the company sign)
(Image: Carl Eve/PlymouthLive)
She said: “This was a precautionary measure. The resources we used was for the security of the firm and we have to be prepared for potential escalation. Fortunately, it did not.”
The only indication of the reason behind the protest was the hand-made sign left at the front of the building, attached to G&H Artemis sign, which states “No More Genocide”
Chief Insp Smith added: “There were no specific reasons given as to why this company was targeted for the protest. The protestors were calm and compliant throughout and they engaged positively with officers. They said they would not hinder staff entering or leaving the building. It was a peaceful protest throughout.
Police called to peaceful protest outside G & H Artemis firm at Western Wood Way, Langage Science Park in Plympton
(Image: Carl Eve/PlymouthLive)
“They left in vehicles we assumed they arrived in at around 12.30pm and we did not have to intervene at any stage. We have no information whether or not they intend to return to the premises, but we have urged the company to contact if they have further concerns.”
According to their website G&H “provides photonics engineering and manufacturing solutions for industry, telecoms, aerospace, defence, space and life sciences”.
The firm has manufacturing and sales locations around the globe including the USA, France, Japan Germany, Kent, Torquay and Plympton.
This includes, according to their website, optical thin coatings at the Plymouth Artemis facility, used on head-up display (HUD) systems for aircraft. In December 2023 the firm unveiled a range of laser protection filters designed specifically for riflescopes.
PlymouthLive has contacted G&H Artemis for comment.
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