Arrests at abortive Extinction Rebellion protest outside Amazon

The protestors arrived at Sunbank Lane, near to Manchester Airport, at around 5am, with a statement suggesting their intention to block it for two days.

But by around 12pm, the blockade had been dismantled and arrests had been made.

READ MORE: AS IT HAPPENED: Extinction Rebellion blockade Amazon on Black Friday.

Later, a spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: "Police were aware of a protest in Manchester which was preventing access to a warehouse.

"Officers attended to maintain safety, while facilitating the right to peaceful protest.

"Two men and two women were arrested on suspicion of public nuisance."

The protestors outside Amazon (Image: Extinction Rebellion).

The blockade was one of 15 of Amazon's warehouses across the UK, Germany and the Netherlands, which Extinction Rebellion described as a protest against 'the destructive and exploitative practices of one of the world's largest companies'.

In a statement, the movement accused Amazon of a number of 'crimes', including the destruction of the environment and the exploitation of its workers.

But Amazon answered these accusations in a statement of its own, in which it stressed its work in the areas of concern to Extinction Rebellion.

A spokesperson said: "At Amazon, we take our responsibilities very seriously. This 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 small, British 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.