Four pro-Palestinian protestors have been arrested after a 12-hour factory roof standoff.
Members of the Palestine Action Group clambered onto The Permoid factory, in Newton Aycliffe, at about 5am today (Monday, June 16) to protest against the defence firm.
The group claims Permoid Industries manufactures containers for weapons and ammunition that are used by the Israeli military.
However, The Northern Echo has not yet been able to verify this allegation.
Armed with bolt cutters and flares, the four protestors were heard chanting “free Palestine” from the two-storey factory across the day.
Pictures show lit flares sending red and green smoke into the sky beside waving Palestinian flags.
The group finally came down at about 5.30pm - with Durham Police confirming that three women and one man have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.
They remain in police custody.
As previously reported, Palestine Action Group claimed responsibility for the protest and also said they targeted the factory on Saturday.
Pictures have shown extensive damage to the site, with blood-red paint doused over machinery and the word 'Free Gaza' and 'Pal Action' scrawled onto the walls.
Windows and doors of the factory have also been smashed in, with the same red paint having been sprayed across the brick work.
It is also understood that machinery has been damaged and documents removed, as well as holes being created in the roof.
Incident sparks 'significant disruption'
Police said significant disruption was caused to the public and damage was caused to the Horndale Avenue building.
Officers were first called to the scene just before 5am, erecting a cordon that was later extended to cover the entire industrial estate.
At 12.30pm, there were a total of 11 police vehicles on Horndale Avenue, alongside workers from the North East Ambulance Service and Durham County Council.
Police drones were deployed in an attempt to monitor the protestors, who continued to wave the flags throughout the day.
Two fire engines from the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service arrived just before 4pm, using an aerial platform to speak to the protestors and eventually bring them down one by one.
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 were reported during the incident, and The Echo understands that workers were told earlier this morning to leave and return tomorrow.
A spokesman for Durham Police 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.
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“The safety of everyone, including the public and police, remains our top priority.”
A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson previously said: "We were called to an incident at Permoid Industries Ltd on Horndale Avenue in Newton Aycliffe this morning (16 June) 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."
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