Three people in balaclava wanted by police after Barclays in Broadmead was broken into

Police in Bristol have launched a manhunt for three masked men who are believed to have vandalized the Barclays Bank branch in Broadmead just before dawn this morning, smashing every window and splattering the building with red paint.

Detectives said officers attended the scene shortly after the attack, which happened at around 3.10am in the center of Bristol’s main shopping street. Police said officers searched the building and nearby streets but the offenders had already escaped and initial CCTV inquiries showed three hooded men riding away from the area on bicycles.

A hammer and can of paint were recovered from the front of the building, which remains cordoned off while police scour the site for clues. Hours after the attack, a group called Palestine Action contacted Bristol Live to claim responsibility for the attack, which was co-ordinated with around 20 other Barclays Bank branches across the country.

The group said it was working with another direct action campaign group called “Shut The System”. investment in fossil fuels.

Read more: Barclays bank in Broadmead destroyed in attack linked to Israel and Palestine

Read more: Pro-Palestine group arrested in overnight raid in Bristol

In a statement, Avon and Somerset Police said they are appealing for help to find the people responsible for this morning’s attack. “Detectives are investigating after the windows of a bank in Bristol city center were smashed overnight,” a spokesman said. “Red paint was also thrown over the Barclays branch on Broadmead at around 3.10am. Officers attended and searched the building and nearby streets, but the offenders had already left and are not believed to have entered the building.

“A cordon is in place while crime scene investigators examine the area and the bank is secured. A hammer and can of paint were recovered and CCTV inquiries are ongoing. Investigating officers are keen to speak to anyone who saw three people wearing balaclava. leave Broadmead on bikes shortly after the damage was done.

“We believe the incident is linked to the damage caused to several other Barclays branches in the country which were similarly targeted around the same time. Anyone with information or footage that could help is asked to call 101 and give the appeal. handler with reference 5224148983,” the police added.

Barclays Bank has defended its involvement with Israel and defense companies that sell arms to the Israeli government. A Barclays spokesman said: “We provide vital financial services to public companies in the US, UK and Europe that supply defense products to NATO and its allies. Barclays does not invest directly in these companies.

“The defense sector is fundamental to our national security and the UK Government has been clear that supporting defense companies is compatible with ESG considerations. Decisions regarding the implementation of arms embargoes to other nations are the responsibility of the respective elected governments,” the spokesperson added.

“While we support the right to protest, we ask campaigners to do so in a way that respects our customers, colleagues and property,” a Barclays spokesman said.

Palestine Action said it had teamed up with Shut The System to call on Barclays Bank to change its position and stop dealing with Israel or fossil fuel companies. “Barclays is funding the crises of climate collapse and genocide in Palestine,” said a spokesman for Palestine Action.

“Decades of polite campaigning, petitions, letter writing and lobbying MPs have failed. We will continue to escalate until Barclays sticks its finger out and stops funding genocide and climate destruction,” they added.

“Palestine Action aims to stop the Palestinian genocide by undermining the Israeli military’s weapons suppliers, including Elbit Systems, along with the financial companies involved with these weapons suppliers,” a spokesman said. “Shut the System targets the banks and insurance companies that enable fossil fuel expansion.

“Both groups have adopted radical direct action tactics that include sabotaging key infrastructure to physically prevent continued support for destructive and lethal business operations. Collaboration between groups is designed to maximize efficiency,” they added.

In late April, Avon and Somerset Police arrested nine people from Palestine Action on suspicion of conspiracy to cause criminal damage.