Photo: Reuters
The most expensive incident involved the Royal Courts of Justice in London, according to the BBC. On September 8, 2025, a Banksy mural appeared on the wall of the historic building: a judge in a wig striking a protester lying on the ground with a hammer. The artist confirmed his authorship by posting the image on his website and on Instagram.
Since the building is a Grade II listed building, the authorities decided to restore it to its original appearance. The UK Ministry of Justice spent £50,000 to remove the mural from the wall. An additional £35,300 was spent on overtime and security for the site. Thus, the total cost for this single incident exceeded £85,000.
After the drawing was discovered, the area around the courthouse was cordoned off, and police launched an investigation into property damage. No arrests have been made so far. Initial attempts to completely remove the image were unsuccessful. As a result, contractors continued the cleanup using laser technology.
The disclosure of these costs has reignited the debate over who should pay for the consequences of Banksy’s works appearing on public and historic buildings.
Nick Timothy, the Conservative Party’s shadow justice spokesman, stated that Banksy should reimburse taxpayers for the costs. According to him, public funds should not be spent on cleaning up after someone who paints images on public buildings without permission.
Banksy does have his defenders. Art historian Estelle Lovatt believes that his works can bring economic benefits to cities, as they attract tourists and allow people to view the famous artist’s works for free.
For British authorities, however, the issue goes beyond a debate about art. When Banksy’s works appear without permission on historic buildings, government agencies must choose between preserving them and restoring the buildings to their original appearance.
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