Animal rights campaigners gain access to Watton food processing plant

Police tell us they're on the scene

Cranswick Country Foods
Author: Sian RochePublished 3rd Apr 2024
Last updated 3rd Apr 2024

A group of animal rights activists have gained access to an abattoir in Norfolk in a protest against the treatment of pigs.

Norfolk Police said they were called to reports that a number of protesters had entered a food facility in Watton on Wednesday at 6.07am.

The force told us officers were on scene dealing with the incident in Brandon Road.

In a video posted on social media, vegan campaigner Joey Carbstrong appeared wearing a blue protective suit in a video clip apparently filmed at Cranswick Country Foods in Watton.

He said: "We're currently occupying the Cranswick Watton gas chamber."

He held a banner reading "They fight to escape the gas", with a photo of a caged pig, in the video clip.

He said he wants to raise awareness about the gas chambers, which he described as "torture chambers".

Cranswick Country Foods describes its Watton site on its website as "our dedicated processing facility in Norfolk, producing fresh pork, sausages and added value meal solutions".

A company spokesman said: "There is an ongoing criminal incident taking place at the Cranswick site in Watton, Norfolk, and as such we are unable to comment at this stage."

We'll bring you more as we get it.

First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Rayo app.