Greenpeace protesters broke into Tata Steel on Saturday in a demonstration calling for the plant to be closed because of the local pollution it causes.

Several Extinction Rebellion activists also glued themselves to tracks outside the Tata Steel grounds, a spokesperson told the Volkskrant.

Some local residents joined the protests against the steelworks, which risks being prosecuted for allegedly infringing environmental rules. In March, public health institute RIVM said local children in Wijk aan Zee are most at risk from dust containing high concentrations of carcinogens.

The Greenpeace protesters camped overnight before marching to the site with banners, breaking in and demonstrating on a coal conveyor belt. Although local authorities were monitoring the situation, the activists left peacefully, with no arrests yet reported.

Faiza Oulahsen, head of climate and energy at Greenpeace, said: “We are happy that we could exercise our right to protest at the heart of this major polluter…If the government or Tata Steel do not act, we will come back.”