Cost of Banksy's London artworks exceeds £150,000 for public

The public cost of preserving and cleaning street art by the enigmatic artist Banksy in London has surpassed £150,000, as revealed by data obtained by the BBC through a Freedom of Information request. This significant expenditure covers the protection, security, and cleaning of several of Banksy's recent works across the city.

The largest portion of the spending, totaling £50,000, was allocated to removing a mural depicting a judge at the historic Royal Courts of Justice, which was created in September 2025. An additional £35,000 was spent on security and personnel for this site. When traditional cleaning methods proved ineffective, contractors resorted to laser technology to remove the paint. Westminster City Council indicated that if laser cleaning failed, the stone section of the wall might need to be completely replaced.

Another notable expense involved a sculpture of a flag-waving man installed by Banksy in Waterloo Place. Westminster Council spent £60,000 on security barriers and personnel to protect this artwork. Separately, a mural featuring piranhas on a police kiosk in the City of London resulted in the kiosk being moved for £2,200, with plans for it to be exhibited at the Museum of London.

The substantial public funds allocated to these conservation efforts have ignited a debate between politicians and art critics. Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy labeled the use of public money for cleaning "scandalous," arguing that Banksy should bear the costs. Conversely, art critic Estelle Lovatt defended the works, emphasizing Banksy's contribution to tourism and making art accessible to a wide audience free of charge. Banksy himself has not yet commented on the matter, despite his works fetching over £18 million at international auctions.

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scandalous