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Arrests after defence firm's factory roof occupied

An outside view of the two storey Permoid Industries factory in Newton Aycliffe with a row of cars parked outside. The factory is made of brick with white windows. The roof rises to a central point at a shallow angle.

Four people have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage to a defence firm's factory building.

Shortly before 05:00 BST, officers were called to reports that a small group of people had accessed the roof of a two-storey factory on Horndale Avenue in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.

Three women and a man were "safely brought down from the roof without any injuries" at about 17:30 BST, Durham Police said.

The Palestine Action group has claimed responsibility for targeting the Permoid Industries Ltd building, which they say provides military equipment to Israel. Permoid Industries has been approached for a comment.

A police spokesman said: "This incident has led to significant disruption to the public and criminal damage to the building.

"While we will always uphold the right to lawful protest, we will take necessary action against anyone who deliberately chooses to act outside the law.

A cordon had been placed around the premises and a section of road through the industrial estate was closed while police negotiators engaged with those on the roof, officers added.

Palestine Action accused Permoid Industries of supplying munitions containers to the Israeli armed forces.

"Free Gaza" was sprayed inside the plant and footage shared online by the group showed a repurposed fire extinguisher spraying what appeared to be more paint into the factory through a hole in the roof.

A group of protesters initially broke into the factory during the early hours of Saturday morning, before a second break-in on Monday morning saw people occupy the roof.

Police previously said damage had been caused during the break-in on Saturday but nothing was thought to have been taken.

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