ARRESTS have been made after protests began at Amazon's warehouse in Darlington, The Northern Echo has been told.
Four people have been arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass outside the warehouse on Symmetry Park near A66.
It comes as Extinction Rebellion (XR), who are behind the protest, are staging similar demonstrations across the UK - including Gateshead - and blocking access for HGVs.
Follow live: Extinction Rebellion block Amazon Darlington and Gateshead
Police have remained at the scene to monitor activity, while it is understood the protest has been taking place on private land.
This afternoon, a spokesman for Durham Police said: “Our officers are working to bring the protest to a safe end and to minimize the impact on the wider community”.
Earlier today, Amazon bosses were forced to cancel shifts for workers at the site in Darlington, telling them their safety is its "top priority."
Read more: Amazon cancels shifts in Darlington after Extinction Rebellion protest
In an internal memo this afternoon, staff working on a "mid-shift" were told they would not be required to work, instead being told to stay off with full pay.
It said: "Dear Associate, as you may be aware we currently have protester's outside of our site. As a result, the decision has been made to cancel today's Mid-shift.
"You will be paid in full for today's scheduled shift, and your A-Z app will be updated to reflect this. Any exceptions will be communicated seperately.
Read more: Extinction Rebellion respond after four arrested after protest at Amazon Darlington
"Please by assured that your safety is our top priority and we are currently reviewing the measures we have in place to make sure you feel secure as you start your scheduled shift.
"If anything changes during the day, we will keep you updated. If you have any questions or concerns, please speak to your manager or HR."
Meanwhile, Darlington MP Peter Gibson condemned the actions of Extinction Rebellion as he said he expected the police to disrupt the protest.
He said: "The planned action by Extinction Rebellion at Amazon sites around the country including Darlington are the latest in a series of disruption caused by this group who do their utmost to disrupt ordinary people's lives.
"I trust the police will do their utmost to disrupt their disruptive activites."
Why are the group holding protests
Extinction Rebellion (XR) said it has been holding demonstrations on one of the retailer's busiest days of the year, Black Friday against what it has described are "crimes."
Explaining their actions behind it, an XR spokesperson said: “The action is intended to draw attention to Amazon’s exploitative and environmentally destructive business practices, disregard for workers’ rights in the name of company profits, as well as the wastefulness of Black Friday.
“The blockade is part of an international action by XR targeting 15 Amazon fulfilment centres in the UK, US, Germany and the Netherlands, aimed at highlighting Amazon’s ‘crimes’.
“This is happening in solidarity with activists and workers from the global Make Amazon Pay campaign, demanding better working conditions, clear environmental commitments and for Amazon to pay their fair share of tax.
“Amazon continues to lobby the US government to fight against climate legislation while telling the public they are committed to green initiatives.
“They are committing the very definition of greenwash.”
What Amazon has said
Amazon said it is working to minimise any potential disruption to customers.
A spokesman said: “At Amazon, we take our responsibilities very seriously.
“That includes our commitment to be net-zero carbon by 2040 – 10 years ahead of the Paris Agreement – providing excellent pay and benefits in a safe and modern work environment, and supporting the tens of thousands of British small businesses who sell on our store.
“We know there is always more to do, and we’ll continue to invent and invest on behalf of our employees, customers, small businesses and communities in the UK.
“We’re proud to have invested £32 billion in the UK since 2010, creating 10,000 new permanent jobs across the country this year alone, and generating a total UK tax contribution of £1.55 billion in 2020.”
Extinction Rebellion has been approached for comment relating to the arrests.
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