Palestine Action has claimed responsibility for a double attack in Newton Aycliffe.
UK-based Palestine Action campaigns against companies involved in the arms trade, particularly those supplying weapons or military technology to Israel.
The group was founded in 2020 and is known for its disruptive protests targeting the facilities, offices and infrastructure of such companies – most notably Elbit Systems, Israel’s largest private arms manufacturer.
The group says it targeted Permoid on Aycliffe Business Park, having claimed the company supplies parts to Elbit Systems.
A Durham Constabulary statement said: “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.
“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.”
An Aycliffe Business Park Community statement added: “As always, we encourage all businesses on the park to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity promptly to Durham Constabulary to help maintain the safety and security of our business community.”
MPs in the House of Commons voted 385–26 to add Palestine Action to the list of proscribed terrorist organisations under the Terrorism Act 2000 in July, after their high-profile break‑in and vandalism at RAF Brize Norton in June.
The measure was approved by the House of Lords on July 3 and takes effect tomorrow (July 5).