A group of activists has taken over a meat factory in Kent, demanding the animals be released to a sanctuary.

In the early hours of this morning, the SMASH Speciesism group accessed the Forge Farm Meats building in Tunbridge Wells and chained themselves to machinery.

The group have claimed that they will only leave if the animals, which include sheep, are given to a sanctuary 'to live the rest of their lives in peace'.

Members of the group have accessed the kill floor and waste silos, this they said is to ensure their eviction will need specialised operatives to attend.

Kent Police have now arrested five women on suspicion of aggravated trespass at a business.

In the early hours of this morning activists broke into the factory and put up banner signs

The activists in the video wear scarfs to cover their faces as they demand the slaughter house to be closed

In a video, members of the group are seen climbing over the fencing and letting off pink smoke bombs from the top of the building.

They have however, stated that they have not taken this action lightly and understand the 'legal risks' of occupying the factory.

In a statement to MailOnline Kent Police said: 'Five women have been arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass and a man on suspicion of aiding and abetting aggravated trespass at a business in Tunbridge Wells.

'Kent Police was called at 3.35am on Tuesday 27 August 2019 to reports of a protest at the premises in Powder Mill Lane and officers attended to speak to those involved.

'The women and man remain in police custody while enquiries continue at the scene.'

The site in Tunbridge Wells (pictured above) has previously been under fire for the treatment of animals

Activists chained themselves to railings and said that their intention was to 'save animals'

At the start of the video one of the activists states the groups intentions and says they want slaughters houses to be abolished

The group are also calling for and end to all slaughterhouses and said that the 'continuous exploitation of sentient beings, treated as property, is not just immoral but unjust'.

In a statement they added that if they had to 'force justice' by acting against the law then they would do so 'unapologetically'.

However, it's not the first time Forge Farm Meats has roused attention after it was found that workers at the slaughter house had failed to stun animals properly.

Factory worker Brian Luck had be accused of nine offences relating to the welfare of animals and George Mason had been accused of eight.

The activists said it had been easy to gain access to the factory and highlighted they wont stop until the farm has been closed for good

One activist (above) appeared on camera without his face covered to declare their position

The hearing will take place at Maidstone Magistrates Court on November 8, and a trial date has been set for January 2020.

The anonymous activists are not the first group to enter the factory and also added that they are at the farm with the single intention to 'save animals'.

'Accessing the site has not been difficult as doors were left unlocked and ajar. Some activists have used tubes with multiple layers of different materials and are chained to each other.

'We are explaining the methodology to make one thing very clear, the situation is dangerous and could result in injuries if the correct professionals are not on site.

Pink smoke bombs can be seen bellowing from the site in Tunbridge Wells which has been taken over by activists

Wearing balaclavas, most of the activists entered the site this morning and police are said to be on the scene

'We are going to remain inside of the slaughterhouse for as long as we possibly can and we are not willing to give up our opposition until Forge Farm Meats closes down for good.

'We would be willing to abandon the blockade if all animals scheduled to be killed today are transported to an animal sanctuary of our choice and if the safety and freedom of the activists are promised, without charges and without personal details.'

The group added that this would be the first of many actions they are willing to take in order to combat speciesism.

In 2018 three activists were fined for obstructing workers at the slaughter house in Kent.

They had been part of a group of eight people have had gained access to the factory in order to film inside.