Three artworks attributed to street artist Banksy have generated approximately £150,000 in public expenditure related to removal efforts and security measures, according to information disclosed through Freedom of Information requests.
The largest expense stems from a mural depicting a judge striking a protester, which appeared on the Royal Courts of Justice in London in September 2025. The Ministry of Justice has allocated £50,000 toward paint removal from the Grade II-listed building located on Carey Street, with an additional £35,300 spent on security and overtime costs. Initial cleaning attempts proved unsuccessful, prompting contractors to employ laser technology for further removal efforts. Westminster City Council is scheduled to conduct an inspection, and if the removal is deemed incomplete, alternative cleaning methods may be required. As a final measure, the affected stonework may need to be removed and replaced. An application for Listed Building Consent has been submitted for the installation of protective railings across the targeted wall.
This situation reflects ongoing debate regarding whether Banksy’s unauthorized murals constitute vandalism or valuable public art. Opposition politicians have criticized the expense to taxpayers, while art advocates highlight the cultural and tourism benefits of the artist’s work. Additional costs have been incurred by other public bodies, including Westminster City Council’s expenditure of approximately £60,000 for barriers, administration, and security related to a statue that appeared near Trafalgar Square in April. A police sentry box decorated by Banksy in August 2024 was removed at a cost of £2,200.
Banksy, who emerged from Bristol’s graffiti scene in the 1990s, has become internationally recognized for works that typically appear without advance notice and draw substantial public attention. His surviving murals in Bristol remain prominent tourist attractions decades after their creation.
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