THE four people who were arrested after Taunton's County Hall was damaged by paint have been released on bail whilst enquiries continue.

At around 7.50am on Thursday, April 4, police were called to the Grade II listed public building, which acts as Somerset Council's headquarters, where they discovered significant damage.

Two men and two women were arrested.

Somerset County Gazette: The council has called the incident an 'attack'.The council has called the incident an 'attack'. (Image: Palestine Action Media)

Earlier this year in March, activists covered the Block A of Somerset Council’s County Hall in red paint and black graffiti reading ‘Elbit out’, ‘Evict Elbit’, and ‘Blood on your hand.’

Palestine Action daubed the graffiti urging the council to evict the current tenant of the Aztec West 600 offices Elbit System, an Israeli-based defence contractor which had supplied the Israeli army with equipment since 1966.

Speaking after the arrests last week, an Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said: "Four people were arrested today, Thursday, April 4, after County Hall in Taunton was damaged by paint.

Somerset County Gazette: Four people have been released on bail.Four people have been released on bail. (Image: Palestine Action Media)

"Police were called to the scene just after 7.50am and found significant damage.

"Officers arrested two men, one in his twenties and one in his thirties, and two women one aged in her thirties and one in her seventies, just after 8.15am on suspicion of criminal damage.

"The four were subsequently further arrested on suspicion of locking onto a person.

"Specialist officers attended to assist in removing the detainees, who have since been transported to a custody unit, where they remain.

"If you saw or have any information which could help the investigation into the damage, please call 101 and give the reference 5224085382."x

Somerset County Gazette: Police were called to the scene.Police were called to the scene. (Image: Palestine Action Media)

A Somerset Council spokesperson said: "A further attack and criminal damage has been made against public property this morning which will inevitably result in additional costs at the public expense.

"We believe this incident relates to a legacy commercial investment which we have already agreed to dispose of.

“We have sought to engage protestors over their concerns but today’s events show their preference to cause damage rather than engage in meaningful conversation.

“While we respect the right of individuals and groups to protest, we strongly condemn this style of protest damaging a Grade II listed public building."