British authorities have spent almost $203,000 on the removal, protection and management of three Banksy works in London since 2024, according to information obtained by the BBC through freedom of information requests and reported by ARTnews.
The largest share of the spending relates to a work that appeared on the walls of the Royal Courts of Justice, depicting a wig-wearing judge striking a protester with a gavel.
According to ARTnews, the UK Ministry of Justice has spent about $67,000 attempting to remove the artwork, while a further $48,000 has gone towards security measures and staff overtime while the piece remained in place.
Initial cleaning efforts failed to produce the desired result and contractors are now using laser technology to remove the work. If that method also proves unsuccessful, authorities are even considering replacing sections of the affected stonework.
The case has revived debate over whether Banksy's interventions should be treated as vandalism of public property or as artworks with cultural value.
UK Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy was among those criticising the fact that taxpayers are bearing the restoration costs, arguing that the work damaged a building that symbolises the rule of law.
Supporters of Banksy, on the other hand, argue that his works attract visitors and make art accessible in public spaces beyond museums and galleries.
The Royal Courts of Justice piece is not the only Banksy work to generate significant costs.
In April, Westminster City Council revealed that it had spent nearly $81,000 on security barriers, guarding and administrative expenses after a Banksy sculpture unexpectedly appeared in Waterloo Place, near Trafalgar Square.
Because the sculpture was installed on public land, the council became its legal owner and is still considering what to do with it.
Earlier, in August 2024, the City of London spent almost $3,000 removing a police box that Banksy had transformed into an "aquarium" by painting piranhas on it.
The police box was not destroyed but moved into storage. According to ARTnews, it is expected to go on public display when the London Museum reopens in November.
The costs incurred so far are expected to rise further as work continues on removing the Royal Courts of Justice mural.
Source: ARTnews and BBC
