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Banksy's London art cost taxpayers 175,000 euros for cleanup and security
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Culture & Society

Banksy's London art cost taxpayers 175,000 euros for cleanup and security

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Context piece
  • Recent street art by Banksy in London has cost taxpayers approximately 175,000 euros in cleaning and security.
  • The most expensive intervention involved a mural at the Royal Courts of Justice, costing over 99,000 euros for removal and security.
  • While some criticize the public expense for perceived vandalism, others argue Banksy's art boosts tourism and makes art accessible.

Recent street art installations by the elusive artist Banksy in London have incurred significant costs for the public purse, totaling around 175,000 euros for cleaning and security measures. The most substantial expense, exceeding 99,000 euros, was associated with a mural painted at the Royal Courts of Justice in September 2025. Due to the building's protected status, authorities had to cordon off the area and initiate immediate cleanup, while also filing a report for "material damage."

Another notable cost involved a statue near Trafalgar Square, which cost Westminster council approximately 70,000 euros for safety barriers, maintenance, and security. This piece, depicting a man about to fall from a pedestal, is now owned by the council. In August 2024, a police booth transformed into a piranha tank as part of Banksy's "London Zoo" series was removed at a cost of about 2,500 euros and is set to be displayed at the new Museum of London.

indignant that taxpayer money has to be spent cleaning up the 'vandalism' caused by Banksy, who 'seems to believe he has the right to damage public buildings with impunity.'

— Nick TimothyConservative Party justice spokesperson criticizing the cost of cleaning Banksy's art.

The public spending has drawn criticism, with the Conservative Party's justice spokesperson, Nick Timothy, calling it "outrageous" that taxpayer money is used to clean up Banksy's "vandalism." He argued that the artist seems to believe he can damage public buildings with impunity. However, art critic Estelle Lovatt defended Banksy's work, highlighting its ability to attract tourists, unite people, and make art accessible without requiring gallery admission fees.

the graffitist's work attracts a huge number of tourists, 'unites people' and 'makes art accessible because you don't have to pay a gallery entrance fee.'

— Estelle LovattArt critic defending Banksy's work and its economic and social benefits.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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