Arrests after police officers hit with sledgehammer

Police said sledgehammers, axes, whips and other homemade weapons were seized

A police officer was taken to hospital after being hit with a sledgehammer while responding to reports of criminal damage.

A vehicle was used to ram the entrance of the Bristol HQ of defence technology firm Elbit Systems on Bolingbroke Way in Patchway, on the outskirts of Bristol, shortly before 04:00 BST.

Employees and police officers who intervened were assaulted, Avon and Somerset Constabulary said, and six people were arrested.

Sledgehammers, axes, whips and other homemade weapons were seized, police added.

During the incident, two officers were assaulted with a sledgehammer, police said.

One of the officers was taken to hospital with injuries to her back and has since been discharged, while the other officer received medical treatment at the scene after being struck on the back of his legs.

An employee of the business was also treated by paramedics for an injury to their head.

Police said six people aged 20-30 years old were arrested on suspicion of a range of offences including Section 18 wounding with intent, aggravated burglary, burglary and criminal damage.

Avon and Somerset Police said enquiries were continuing

Videos shared to social media by campaign group Palestine Action showed people using tools to cut into the warehouse, damaging equipment inside the building and spraying red paint on the premises.

The direct action group says it aims to disrupt arms sales to Israel, and claims Elbit Systems UK sells equipment to the state's army.

Elbit Systems UK Limited has previously said in court it does not supply Israel with arms.

Supt Deepak Kenth said officers remained at the scene of the incident, examining CCTV, speaking to witnesses and examining the vehicle used.

A vehicle was used to smash through a fence

"These are not protests, these are criminal offences being committed - very serious criminal offences," he said.

He confirmed officers were looking to make further arrests "in the coming hours and days", and said anyone who carried out similar offences should "expect to be dealt with robustly".

Supt Kenth described the actions of those who injured officers as "disgraceful".

"Police officers are mums, dads, uncles, aunties, brothers and sisters, like anyone else. They wear the uniform to protect the public.

"They come to work and they do not expect to be assaulted with weapons and that's why we will take the strongest possible action that is required on behalf of the public as well as my colleagues," he added.

Supt Kenth said "very serious criminal offences" had been committed

A spokesperson for Elbit Systems UK Limited confirmed a security guard had been injured and said vehicle training equipment manufactured for the British armed forces had been targeted.

They said: "We provide critical support and advanced technology to the British armed forces from our Horizon site.

"Any claims that this facility supplies the Israeli military or Israeli Ministry of Defence are categorically false."

"We will work with the authorities to ensure those responsible are held accountable and face the full force of the law," they added.