Three Banksy creations have resulted in nearly £150,000 of public spending in the UK. This amount includes cleanup operations, securing the sites, and the removal of some works that appeared without authorization on public buildings or equipment.
The largest bill concerns a mural painted in September 2025 on the listed facade of the Royal Courts of Justice in London. Depicting a judge striking a protester with his gavel, it has already required £50,000 in cleaning costs and £35,300 in security expenses.
Between vandalism and tourist attraction
Initial cleaning attempts proved insufficient, so specialists are now using laser technology. If this fails, some stones may be removed and replaced. Police are still investigating the criminal damage, but no arrests have been made.
A statue installed near Trafalgar Square cost the city of Westminster nearly £60,000, while relocating a piranha-decorated guardhouse in 2024 cost £2,200. These expenses have reignited the debate between those who consider Banksy a vandal and those who emphasize the artistic and touristic value of his works.
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