THE removal of graffiti sprayed on the council’s headquarters in Taunton town centre cost taxpayers £7,600.

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’ in March and more damage was caused earlier this month.

A Somerset Council spokesperson said the cost of bringing in a specialist cleaning company plus equipment hire to remove the graffiti sprayed in the first incident was £7,600.

Somerset County Gazette: This photo shows the damage caused in MarchThis photo shows the damage caused in March (Image: Newsquest)

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.

The incident took place on March 18 and condemning the damage Somerset Council said the graffiti “will need to be removed at taxpayers’ expense”.

At the time, a spokesperson for the 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."

The County Hall was once again damaged by paint in a second incident this month (Thursday, April 4).

After the second incident, a 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.”

Palestine Action has been contacted for a comment.