Five more people have been arrested over an alleged ram-raid at a defence technology firm as part of a pro-Palestine protest.

Members of the recently proscribed group Palestine Action are accused of breaking into the Elbit Systems UK site near Bristol on 6 August last year.

Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) said they are accused of causing “extensive damage” to inventory and assaulting employees and two police officers.

Palestine Action allege Elbit Systems UK is involved in the manufacture and supply of weapons to the Israeli military – a claim the company strongly denies.

CTPSE said that on Tuesday the five people were arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism, contrary to Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

The five – a 66-year-old man from Bristol, a 20-year-old woman from Whitstable in Kent, a 19-year-old man from London, a 27-year-old man from London, and a 33-year-old man from London – remain in custody.

A total of 10 people were arrested shortly after the incident last year, with a further eight arrested in November.

They have all been charged with various offences and are currently awaiting trial.

Palestine Action became a proscribed organisation under the Terrorism Act 2000 on 5 July.