A town centre Barclays bank has been coated in red paint and had its windows smashed as part of a nationwide protest coordinated by a pro-Palestine group.
The branch in High Street Chatham sat closed off behind police tape with glass shattered across the pavement after being targeted overnight.
Gary Stewart, who was out walking his dog around 6.30am this morning, told KentOnline: “The front was sprayed painted red over the glass and door, then the door has been smashed. Police are on guard duty.”
Over the last few days up to 20 bank buildings belonging to the nationwide chain have been targeted across the country, according to the group Palestine Action.
On X, formerly Twitter, the activist group claimed responsibility for the latest attack, believed to be the first in Kent, posting: “Actionists target another Barclays branch - this time in Chatham, Kent.
“In a wave of escalating actions, the pressure on the bank to divest from Israel's biggest weapons firm is ramping up.”
Police were said to still be outside the bank at around 7am this morning.
A spokeswoman for the force said they were called at 12.25am to a report that a window belonging to Barclays Bank had been deliberately broken in Chatham High Street.
“Officers are carrying out enquiries to identify the person responsible,” they said.
It’s understood the bank branch will remain closed for the rest of today (June 12).
The pro-Palestine group has teamed up alongside Shut the System, a recently launched underground climate movement to coordinate the attacks, both groups have confirmed.
Both claim Barclays have financial interests in selling weapons to Israel - an accusation the bank robustly denies.
The groups said “radical direct action tactics” such as these will continue until Barclays stops investing in certain companies.
In a previous statement issued following attacks elsewhere in the UK, a spokesperson for the British bank said: “We provide vital financial services to US, UK and European public companies that supply defence products to Nato and its allies.
“Barclays does not directly invest in these companies.
“The defence sector is fundamental to our national security and the UK Government has been clear that supporting defence companies is compatible with ESG (environmental, social and governance) considerations.
“Decisions on the implementation of arms embargos to other nations are the job of respective elected governments.
“While we support the right to protest, we ask that campaigners do so in a way which respects our customers, colleagues and property.”
Barclays and Palestine Action have both been approached for comment.
