Six arrested as police respond to rooftop protest

Six people have been arrested after a group of protesters got on to the roof of a business in Leicestershire.

Police said they were called at 03:10 BST on Friday to a premises in Meridian Way, Braunstone, following a report of a van being driven into a gate.

Two men were initially arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit criminal damage but four others got on the roof and forced a stand-off with officers.

Shortly after 16:00 police confirmed another four people had been removed from the building and arrested.

Two men aged 41 and 27, and two aged 28, have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit criminal damage.

One of the 28-year-olds was also arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker.

Two women, aged 25 and 31, have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit criminal damage.

All six have also been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit burglary.

Leicestershire Police said due to the nature of the incident said Counter Terrorism Policing East Midlands was now leading the investigation.

A spokesman for the force said: "Police continue to support the right to peacefully protest but we will also continue to take immediate action where reports of anyone seeking to commit crime or damage to property are made."

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