A “CRIMINAL damage” incident in which graffiti has been sprayed on the County Hall building “will need to be removed at taxpayers’ expense”.

This morning (Monday, March 18) graffiti including ‘Blood on your hand’ and ‘Evict Elbit’ was daubed on the Somerset Council’s County Hall.

Condemning the damage, Somerset Council said they “believe this incident relates to a legacy commercial investment by Sedgemoor District Council which we have already agreed to dispose of”.

Somerset County Gazette:

A spokesperson for Somerset Council said: "We believe this incident relates to a legacy commercial investment by Sedgemoor District Council which we have already agreed to dispose of.

"While we respect the right of individuals and groups to protest, we strongly condemn this criminal damage on a Grade II listed public building which will need to be removed at taxpayers’ expense."

It is unclear at this stage who perpetrated the attack.

Elbit Systems is an Israeli-based defence contractor which had supplied the Israeli army with equipment since 1966.

The council proposed to close the budget gap by – among other measures - selling off the commercial investments it inherited from the four district councils, including offices at Aztec West 600, within a business park on the northern edge of Bristol.

The offices at Aztec West 600 – near junction 16 of the M5 – were purchased by Sedgemoor District Council in 2020, with Somerset Council inheriting the investment when it assumed power in April 2023.

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said: “We are appealing for information following a criminal damage incident at Somerset County Hall, in Taunton, overnight in which graffiti had been sprayed onto the building.

“The matter was reported to us at about 6.25am this morning (Monday, March 18).

“Due to the nature of the graffiti, neighbourhood officers will be carrying out community reassurance patrols.

"If you can help, please call 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5224069394."