‘Durham Constabulary are aware that a lot of businesses were alarmed by the recent incidents at Permoid this month so I hope this update provides some useful information for everyone in the group and provides some reassurance about what we’re doing as a team.
Officers were called to two incidents over the course of the weekend – the first to a burglary on Saturday, June 14 where suspects broke into the site and caused damage and the second on Monday, June 16, where different suspects scaled the roof and caused damage.
The suspects were brought down and arrested. They have since been bailed while a charging decision is made with the CPS.
The group Palestine Action have openly claimed responsibility for both incidents. They say they targeted Permoid because they press sheet metal into ammunition containers which are then supplied to Elbit Systems.
Elbit Systems supply the Israel Defence Force (IDF) with land based military equipment and as due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.
Palestine Action say they have targeted the company as they are involved in the supply chain and our enquiries have further satisfied our belief that this was a targeted crime with political motivations.
Extra patrols have been carried out around the area in recent weeks and we have worked with Permoid to help them find ways to increase their security.
The factory operates 24 hours a day Monday to Friday and an SIA qualified security guard has been employed from 8am Saturday to 8am Monday to provide security on site whilst it is not operational.
It is also worth noting that following other incidents with Palestine Action around the country, a bill to proscribe Palestine Action will go to Parliament on June 30.
Whilst further protests have been made by the group in London, Manchester and Newcastle, over this decision, there is no evidence to suggest further activity in Newton Aycliffe; however, the team remains vigilant and we would ask businesses to continue to do the same and report any suspicious activity immediately.’