Police launch investigation after man ran off with Banksy artwork less than an hour after being confirmed

Yesterday (22 December), a man ran off with a new piece of Banksy artwork.

It hadn’t even been an hour since the art installation in South London was confirmed as genuine before a bloke showed up and removed it.

And now it’s being investigated by police.

Confirmed by Banksy with a social media post just after midday on Friday, it was placed at an intersection in Peckham.

The new installation was a simple red traffic stop sign, but it was covered with three 3D aircraft said to resemble military drones.

Two men were soon spotted taking it down at about 12:30pm, and as far as we know, Banksy isn’t behind the removal.

So, it seems like it really has been nicked and the council have reported it in order to ‘help get it back’.

Jasmine Ali, the deputy Leader of Southwark Council, said the artwork ‘should not have been removed’, adding: “We’d like it back so everyone in the community can enjoy Banksy’s brilliant work.”

Aaron Chown/PA Wire

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police told LADbible: "The MPS is aware of an incident that occurred on Friday, 22 December, in relation to the removal of a road traffic sign in Commercial Way, Peckham.

"Our local authority partners were informed at the time and have since replaced the road sign to avoid endangering road users.

"We have since received a report of theft and enquiries are ongoing. This incident is currently being investigated by officers from the Met’s Central South CID. There has been no arrest at this stage.

"We are aware of footage being shared which shows the sign being removed. Anyone who may have information about the incident or the whereabouts of the sign is asked to call police on 101 quoting ref 5742/22dec."

PA

After the artwork’s removal, Ali said in a statement: “Of course Banksy picked Peckham, it’s already on the map when it comes to art and is a hotbed for creativity.

“It should not have been removed and we’d like it back so everyone in the community can enjoy Banksy’s brilliant work."

Witnesses told PA news agency that onlookers had shouted at the man while he tried to take the installation down.

Another witness added: “No one really knew what to do, we sort of just watched it happen.

“We were all a bit bemused, there was some honking of car horns.

“He ripped it off and ran across the road and ran away. He said nothing. He didn’t seem to care that much about the art itself.”