Climate protesters target Muller Droitwich dairy for third day

The group want help for farmers to switch to a plant-based food system

Protesters are staging a demonstration at a Muller dairy in Worcestershire for a third day in a row.

The Animal Rebellion activists say they want a transition to a plant-based food system and have unfurled banners from the top of several lorries.

West Mercia Police said 10 people had been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit criminal damage.

Muller said fresh milk supplies were being maintained due to "the hard work and professionalism of our employees".

Protesters also targeted a Muller depot in Willenhall in the West Midlands on Monday morning and released footage they said showed them drilling holes in lorry tyres there.

It is understood that the activists have caused damage put at thousands of pounds at the depot by drilling holes in about 200 lorry tyres.

A total of 11 people were arrested for offences including criminal damage and aggravated trespass, West Midlands Police said.

The four men - aged 24, 22, 26 and 27 - and women aged 21, 22, 20, 20, 21, 32 and 55 are currently in police custody.

Animal Rebellion claimed they took the same action at the dairy in Hampton Lovett.

Animal Rebellion released footage of lorry tyres they said showed them being drilled at a West Midlands milk depot

BBC Hereford and Worcester reporter Isabel Kimbrey said earlier she counted about a dozen protesters on the top of three lorries at the site - two Muller vehicles and the third belonged to Amazon Prime.

Some police officers negotiating with protesters wore harnesses and were in cherry pickers attempting to get them down safely, she added.

Police said seven protesters remained at the dairy following the 10 arrests on Monday afternoon.

Ch Insp Gareth Morgan said: "Our officers are there to facilitate a peaceful protest and ensure that traffic is able to move freely.

"We respect the right to peaceful protest but we will take proportionate action when the law is broken."

Muller said: "We have experienced isolated incidents of criminal damage to vehicles at our dairies, with activists endangering themselves and our employees by bringing knives and drills on to our facilities.

"This small group of activists do not represent the 96% of adults in Britain who choose milk every week and are our priority. During a cost of living crisis we will continue to ensure that it reaches families, including vulnerable members of society."

Protesters targeted four dairies on Sunday - three run by Muller in Droitwich, Severnside in Gloucestershire and Bridgwater in Somerset - the fourth in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, is run by Arla and is the UK's largest milk factory.

The animal and climate group said more than 100 people climbed on to trucks, milk silos and loading bays during Sunday's protest.

A number of arrest were made at several sites.

On Monday, Droitwich and Aylesbury sites were targeted again.