A gang of balaclava-wearing activists have been filmed launching a destructive overnight assault on two separate office buildings in Scotland, wielding hammers and spray paint in what they claim was a protest against Israeli military links.
Dramatic video footage captures the vandals systematically wrecking the interiors of facilities belonging to security firm Securitas and defence contractor Leonardo UK during the early hours of Sunday morning. The clip, which runs for one minute and 34 seconds, shows the masked individuals methodically smashing office equipment, shattering windows and defacing walls.
Throughout their rampage, the intruders spray-painted the message “drop Leonardo now” across various surfaces within the premises, making clear their motivation for the attacks.
Defence contractor denies direct Israeli supply chain
Leonardo UK has firmly rejected suggestions it maintains direct commercial relationships with Israeli defence forces. A company spokesman told BBC Scotland that all of the firm’s operations fall under strict UK Government export control regulations.
“Leonardo UK is subject to UK government export controls and does not supply equipment direct to Israel,” the spokesperson stated. “Our main customer is the UK Armed Forces and we are proud to manufacture technology that supports our service personnel and helps to keep them safe.”
The aerospace and defence company manufactures various military technologies at its Scottish facilities, primarily for British armed forces personnel.
Two separate incidents reported hours apart
Police Scotland received the first emergency call around 1.50am on Sunday morning after red paint was discovered sprayed across Leonardo UK’s office building. Just over an hour later, at approximately 3am, officers responded to a second vandalism report at Securitas’ nearby premises, where witnesses reported hearing the sound of windows being systematically destroyed.
The footage shared on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, suggests the group specifically selected these targets due to perceived connections with Israeli military operations, though neither company has confirmed such links exist.
Extensive damage captured on video
The self-recorded footage reveals the scale of destruction wrought during the break-ins. Multiple office rooms appear completely ransacked, with the perpetrators using hammers to pulverise computers, monitors and other electronic equipment.
At one point in the video, an activist produces a spray gun and begins coating entire wall sections with sweeping lines of black paint, adding to the earlier graffiti messages demanding Leonardo UK’s activities cease.
The systematic nature of the vandalism suggests the group entered with a clear plan to cause maximum disruption and property damage whilst documenting their actions for propaganda purposes.
Police launch dual investigation
Police Scotland has confirmed both incidents remain under active investigation, with inquiries continuing to identify the individuals responsible for the attacks. No arrests have been announced at the time of publication.
The force is treating the two incidents as connected given their proximity in time and location, as well as the similar methods employed and political messaging left at both scenes.
Securitas prioritises staff safety
A spokesperson for Securitas UK acknowledged the attack on their Edinburgh regional office but remained tight-lipped about specific details whilst police investigations continue.
“On Sunday, Securitas UK responded to an incident of vandalism at our regional office in Edinburgh,” the company representative said. “Whilst we cannot share further details due to the ongoing investigation, the safety of our people, as well as the protection of our property and assets, remains our highest priority.”
The security services company has not disclosed the full extent of financial damages caused during the break-in or whether any sensitive information or equipment was compromised.
Growing trend of direct action protests
The Edinburgh incidents represent the latest in a series of direct action protests targeting companies perceived to have connections with Israeli defence industries. Similar demonstrations and vandalism attacks have occurred at various locations across Britain since tensions escalated in the Middle East.
Activists have increasingly adopted tactics involving property damage and disruption to draw attention to their demands for British firms to sever any commercial relationships with Israeli military and security forces.
The decision to film and distribute footage of criminal damage suggests the perpetrators view prosecution risk as secondary to generating publicity for their cause through social media channels.
Authorities face the challenge of identifying suspects who took careful precautions to conceal their identities throughout the attacks, wearing balaclavas and other face coverings that make identification from the footage extremely difficult.
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