A Prestwich office block was daubed with red paint and graffiti
Red paint has been daubed on Rico House, in Prestwich(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)
An investigation has been launched after an office block was covered in paint and smashed up in the heart of Greater Manchester’s Jewish community.
Red paint has been daubed on Rico House, in the Sedgley Park area of Prestwich, this morning (May 15).
The words ‘Happy Nakba Day’ were painted onto the building.
Palestine Action has claimed responsibility for the incident. It claims the office block is home to the ‘Manchester-based landlords’ of Israeli arms firm Elbit Systems.
Greater Manchester Police says it was called to reports of criminal damage at the building shortly before 4am today, and enquiries are ongoing.
The actions have been condemned by community representatives, include the Community Security Trust (CST), a charity which provides security to the UK’s Jewish communities.
Smashed glass could be seen outside the office(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)
A spokesperson for CST said: “CST is appalled by the vile paint attack against a mainly Jewish office block in North Manchester.
“We have been working closely with the police and the location, doing our utmost to help identify the anti-Semitic vandals and to give security support.”
Chrsitian Wakeford MP, Labour MP for Bury South, is among the community figures who have condemned the attack.
“I’m deeply troubled to have learned that last night there was an attack on a property in the heart of the Jewish community in my constituency,” he told the Manchester Evening News.
“The attack saw anti-Semitic graffiti targeted towards the Jewish owners of the building and those Jewish businesses who use the building.
“Anti-Semitism can never be tolerated. The local authorities are aware and investigating the matter.
“I want to reassure all my constituents that any hatred, towards any community in Bury South can never be justified, at any level.”
Palestine Action claimed responsibility for the attack on Rico House, in Prestwich(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)
Images from the scene this morning show bright red paint over the front of Rico House.
Smashed glass can be seen on the ground in front of the building’s entrance, while cones have been placed outside the premises.
Work has been taking place to clean the site up this morning.
The Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester claimed the perpetrators were ‘seeking to intimidate the Jewish community’.
A spokesperson said: “We have been informed that overnight there has been an attack on a Jewish-owned building housing businesses in the heart of our community.
“Those responsible for such appalling vandalism are seeking to intimidate the Jewish community. We will not tolerate our community being targeted by antisemitic vandals who are using the Middle East conflict as a cover to attack Jewish people across the country.”
In a joint statement, Labour’s Sedgley ward councillors Richard Gold, Alan Quinn and Debbie Quinn added: “People have daubed a building in Sedgley Park housing mainly Jewish businesses with red paint that symbolises blood, as well as graffiti against Israel.
“This is an anti-Semitic attack targeting Jews here in Sedgley Park. Your Sedgley Labour councillors absolutely condemn this. We have been in touch with the police who are already investigating this hate crime.”
‘Happy Nakba Day’ was also painted on the building(Image: Manchester Evening News)
A GMP spokesperson said: “Shortly before 4am this morning (Thursday, May 15), we were called to reports of criminal damage at a building on George Street, Prestwich.
“The scene has now been processed and closed, but officers continue to conduct further enquiries. Anyone with information should call us on 101 quoting log 316 of May 15, 2025.”
Nakba Day commemorates the displacement of Palestinians on May 15, 1948, the day which followed the Israeli Declaration of Independence.
As well as the attack on Rico House, Palestine Action says it also targeted the Elbit Systems factors in Filton, near Bristol, and the office of BNY Mellon bank, in Edinburgh, this morning.
A spokesperson for Palestine Action said the group ‘will continue to escalate against Elbit until they are shut down for good’.
Palestine Action, which says it wants to highlight the plight of Gazans facing starvation, has claimed responsibility for a series of attacks on companies linked to Elbit in recent years.
Last month, the director of Salford-based Dean Group confirmed the company would no longer work with the Israeli firm, following two attacks by activists.
Palestine Action has been approached for comment.