Protestors force Permoid factory in Newton Aycliffe to close

Members of the Palestine Action Group climbed onto the roof of the Permoid factory on Horndale Avenue in Newton Aycliffe on Monday (June 16). 

Armed with bolt cutters, hammers, and flares, the protestors unfurled Palestinian flags and chanted “Free, free Palestine”.

Protestors on the roof of the Permoid factory in Newton Aycliffe (Image: STUART BOULTON) The protest has drawn a significant police presence, with around 25 officers, multiple police vans, paramedics, and even Durham County Council workers at the site.

Police drones were deployed in an attempt to monitor the protestors, who remain on the rooftop several hours into the incident.

The disruption has not only impacted the factory’s operations but also closed Horndale Avenue to traffic.

Protestors in Newton Aycliffe (Image: STUART BOULTON) Police continue to negotiate with the activists and have extended the cordon to include the whole industrial estate where the factory is based.

A spokesperson for Durham Police said: “Police are attending a factory unit on Horndale Avenue at Newton Aycliffe where a small number of protesters have gained access to the roof.

Police at the protest (Image: STUART BOULTON) "A police cordon is in place around the building and officers are continuing to communicate with the protesters.

"A section of road outside the factory is closed and members of the public are asked to avoid the area.”

According to on-site reports, workers at Permoid have been told to leave the premises and return tomorrow.

Protestors on the factory roof (Image: STUART BOULTON) This is not the first time the factory in Newton Aycliffe has been targeted.

On Saturday (June 14), Palestine Action claim they cut through perimeter fencing, entered the building, and smashed machinery. They sprayed red paint and removed what they described as “confidential documents”.

Today, the group issued another statement claiming they have caused further internal damage to the site from the rooftop, reportedly creating holes in the structure.

Images from the scene show protestors standing atop the factory waving flags, surrounded by banners and signs.

Emergency services on the scene (Image: STUART BOULTON) The coordinated action appears to be part of Palestine Action’s ongoing campaign to disrupt UK-based companies they allege are involved in arms manufacturing or export to Israel.

No injuries have been reported during the incident.

Follow our live blog of the incident here.

A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called to an incident at Permoid Industries Ltd on Horndale Avenue in Newton Aycliffe this morning at 5.22am.

"We dispatched one clinical team leader, one duty officer, and one HART crew (Hazardous Area Response Team) to support colleagues in other emergency services.

"We remain on scene."

Alan Strickland MP said: "Criminal damage and violent protest are totally unacceptable.

"I’m in regular communication with Permoid and the police and am continuing to monitor the situation closely.

I’m grateful to Durham Constabulary for their professionalism in very challenging circumstances."