Council Calls Police in Hunt for Stolen Banksy Artwork
A new Banksy artwork was removed within minutes of the artist confirming its authenticity, prompting the local council to report the incident to the police.
Elusive Artist Confirms Authenticity Before Artwork is Stolen
Shortly after midday on Friday, Banksy confirmed on social media that a traffic stop sign featuring military drones was his artwork. However, less than half an hour later, the artwork was seen being removed by two men at an intersection in Peckham, south London.
The deputy Leader of Southwark Council, Jasmine Ali, expressed disappointment over the removal of the artwork and stated that it should not have been taken down. She emphasized that everyone in the community should have the opportunity to enjoy Banksy's work.
The police have replaced the stop sign to ensure the safety of road users, and the council has reported the incident to the authorities in an attempt to retrieve the stolen artwork.
Witness Describes the Removal of the Artwork
An eyewitness named Alex described the scene as a man used a Lime bike and bolt cutters to remove the artwork. Another person stood on the Lime bike to reach the sign. The witness mentioned that the man bashed the sign with his hands and eventually succeeded in removing it.
Alex explained that several people were present at the scene, admiring and taking pictures of the artwork. They were all surprised as the man forcibly removed it. Despite attempts by onlookers to intervene, the man continued his actions.
The witness highlighted the lack of concern the man showed for the art itself, as he quickly ran away after successfully taking it. The police were alerted about the incident, and they have been in communication with the council regarding any potential criminal actions.
Previous Instances of Banksy Artwork Being Removed
This is not the first time that a Banksy artwork has been removed. Earlier this year, a mural called Valentine's Day Mascara was dismantled in Margate, Kent, shortly after Banksy shared photos of it online. The mural depicted a housewife with a swollen eye and missing tooth.
Unfortunately, the removal of Banksy's artwork in Peckham adds to the growing list of instances where his creations have been taken down. The artist's work often garners significant attention and controversy, making it a target for theft or removal.
However, it is important to note that Banksy is not believed to be involved in the removal of his artwork in this particular incident.
