Four people were arrested in a late night raid after city centre buildings were smashed and covered in red paint. Two Barclays branches, on Market Street and Mosley Street, and the BNY Mellon office at Piccadilly Gardens were targeted early on Friday morning (May 31).
Palestine Action claimed responsibility for the damage caused to all three sites yesterday. At around 10.30pm last night, several police officers descended on Chorlton, south Manchester, as part of their investigation.
A warrant was executed at a property on Wilbraham Road, near the junction of Corkland Road. Greater Manchester Police says four people, aged between 20 and 37, were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage offences and remain in custody for questioning today (Saturday).
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Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Harris, from GMP’s City of Manchester district, said: “We understand the concern incidents of this nature cause amongst our communities, and I want to reassure you that we continue to treat these reports with the utmost severity and sensitivity. We will continue to follow all lines enquiry to take robust action against criminal damage.”
Police remain in attendance on Wilbraham Road as they continue to search the property that was raided. Eyewitnesses reported seeing a ‘massive’ police presence at the scene last night, including Tactical Aid Unit officers.
One told the M.E.N.: “Don’t know what’s happened though it’s very dramatic. [Police] smoked the doors in with the red bats. Officer went rushing in.”
Efforts to clean up the Barclays and BNY Mellon premises are ongoing this morning. It’s the latest incident of vandalism targeted against the two banks in recent months.
In a post on X claiming responsibility yesterday, Palestine Action wrote: “Palestine Action targeted three sites in Manchester overnight, hitting two Barclays branches and BNY Mellon. Both banks invest in Israel’s largest weapons firm, Elbit Systems.”
Offices for both banks in Spinningfields were smashed and had red paint thrown on them back on May 1, in an incident Palestine Action also claimed responsibility for. The BNY Mellon office at Piccadilly Gardens has also been targeted on at least two previous occasions, while the Market Street branch of Barclays has been stormed during pro-Palestine demonstrations.
In a statement issued yesterday, Barclays called for ‘respect’ to its property and its workforce, and insisted it did not directly invest in Elbit Systems. A spokesperson for Barclays said: “We provide vital financial services to US, UK and European public companies that supply defence products to NATO and its allies. Barclays does not directly invest in these companies.
“The defence sector is fundamental to our national security and the UK government has been clear that supporting defence companies is compatible with ESG considerations. Decisions on the implementation of arms embargos to other nations are the job of respective elected governments.
“While we support the right to protest, we ask that campaigners do so in a way which respects our customers, colleagues and property.” BNY Mellon has been approached for comment.
Robert Johnson is a UK-based business writer specializing in finance and entrepreneurship. With an eye for market trends and a keen interest in the corporate world, he offers readers valuable insights into business developments.
