Activists are reported to have squirted chilli-laced spray in a security guard’s face as they caused “more than £1 million of damage” storming a weapons factory.

Palestine Action forced their way into the Instro Precision factory at Sandwich Discovery Park in the early hours of Monday morning.

Footage recorded by the group shows a handful of intruders wearing orange jumpsuits gaining access to the building after smashing a door window with a hammer.

KentOnline understands homemade spray laced with chillis was squirted in a security guard’s face – a claim Palestine Action says it is unaware of.

Eight people arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary have been bailed and a police investigation is underway.

In a statement sent to KentOnline, the group boasts about causing “more than £1 million of damage” while inside.

“Palestine Action’s decommissioning of Elbit Systems’ electro-optics weapons sights factory in Kent has left the Instro Precision site immobilised, unable to produce weapons parts for export to Israel,” a spokesman said.

“After tens of activists stormed the premises – bypassing security guards and cutting through three layers of wire fence – seven activists made it inside the factory itself, laying waste to the weapons of war being produced inside.

“During their 36-hour detention, before their release under strict bail conditions, police interrogators put it to the seven arrested more than £1 million of damage was caused in their few hours inside the factory.

“Good, say Palestine Action.

“Fewer sniper sights manufactured at Instro Precision means fewer guns for Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

“Destroying cables on the outside of the factory, and wrecking machinery, computer technology, and parts being produced for Instro’s product line, the action sought to – and has successfully – put the site out of action.”

Instro Precision and a police spokesman would not comment on the cost of the damage caused when asked by KentOnline.

Shocking footage of the raid shows a videographer wielding a crowbar, using the weapon to damage computers and items on the production belt.

They can also be heard sarcastically saying, “Oh dear, terrible security”, as they open lockers and rip out items.

Before this, activists cut through three security fences in the early hours, breaching the high-security premises at the park.

Some also laid stinger spike strips on the roads leading to the factory to prevent any vehicles from entering.

When asked about the use of the spray on the security guard, Palestine Action said: “We have not heard of this claim so cannot verify it at this moment in time.

“However, it is important to understand Instro Precision is a crucial supplier of weaponry which the Israeli military is using to commit genocide in Gaza.

“Palestine Action take appropriate and proportionate action to disrupt massacres of the Palestinian people.”

The group says it is “dismantling technology, machinery and parts used to produce weapons of war” in a bid to prevent the export of arms to Gaza.

Palestine Action refers to itself as a “direct-action network of groups and individuals formed with the mandate of taking action against the sites of Elbit Systems and other companies complicit in Israeli apartheid, calling for all such sites to be shut down”.

Manufacturing military-grade electro-optical equipment, Palestine Action says Instro is a major exporter to Israel and its products are likely to be used in ground operations in Gaza.

Police confirmed seven people arrested on Monday on suspicion of aggravated burglary have been bailed pending further enquiries.

An eighth suspect arrested on Tuesday in the West Midlands has been bailed and the investigation is ongoing.

On Monday, an Instro Precision spokesman said it is “highly irresponsible” to sabotage its work during a period of global instability.

“We condemn this illegal and violent action and will work with the authorities to prosecute any person or group threatening the safety of our staff or their important work,” he said.

“This facility is designed to meet the requirements of the UK armed forces and in particular support the British Army with a range of state-of-the-art electro-optics and night vision systems.”