Forensics on scene after Palestine protesters smash glass and throw red paint at offices

Police are investigating after offices in Manchester city centre were targeted by Palestine Action protesters.

The front entrance and windows of the building on Hardman Street in Spinningfields have been left covered in red paint. Protesters also appear to have smashed some of the glass doors at the front.

This morning, forensic officers were spotted carrying out investigations outside the 3 Hardman Street officers. The building is home to BNY Mellon bank and Barclays, which campaigners said ‘both invest in Israel’s largest weapons firm, Elbit Systems’.

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Palestine Action shared pictures of the damage on X, formerly known as Twitter. The group wrote: “Palestine Action target the Manchester offices of BNY Mellon and Barclays. Both banks invest in Israel’s largest weapons firm, Elbit Systems #ShutElbitDown.”

Police confirmed officers were called to the scene at around 3.30am following reports of ‘criminal damage’. No arrests have been made and investigations are ongoing.

In a statement, a spokesperson for GMP said: “At around 3.30am this morning (Wednesday 1 May 2024), we were called to reports of criminal damage at building on Hardman Street in the city centre.

“No arrests have been made. Investigations are ongoing.”

Palestine Action have targeted the BNY officers multiple times before, including in April when the One building in Piccadilly Gardens was covered in red paint and left with smashed windows. in March nine people were arrested after protesters targeted the same building.

They chained themselves to the entrance and exit machines of the car park and covered the front of the building with red paint.

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