A police officer was injured and five people arrested after protesters doused the front of an Israeli defence contractor’s London office in red paint on Saturday.

Organisers said dozens of activists had gathered outside Elbit Systems’s Holborn office to demand its closure.

Huda Ammori, a member of the anti-Israel campaign group Palestine Action, said in a statement it was “up to the people to take direct action to shut Elbit down for good.” 

The group, which launched earlier this year, said it "has targeted Elbit sites across the country over a dozen times."

Footage shared by Palestine Action on social media appeared to show a protester being pinned to the ground by several officers. 

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police confirmed officers policed a demonstration outside a business property in Holborn on Saturday. 

The spokesperson said: “Shortly before 14:00hrs a car pulled up by the demonstration and the occupants got out and sprayed a liquid onto the property.

“Five people were arrested either on suspicion of criminal damage or assault on police. One officer was injured in the arrest and is in hospital – not serious injuries.”

All were bailed to a date in mid-November, the spokesperson said.