A man in his 20s has been apprehended by UK police on Saturday on suspicion of stealing a Banksy artwork just hours after its installation on a London street corner. The arrest was made for charges related to theft and criminal damage.
The artwork, featuring a stop sign embellished with military drones, was removed from its location prior to the arrest, according to London’s Metropolitan Police.
The incident is currently under investigation by law enforcement officers, as stated by a police spokesperson.
“Anyone who may have information about the incident or the whereabouts of the sign is asked to call the police.” a Banksy artwork
The arrest of the suspect followed the circulation of a video that depicted a man using bolt cutters, assisted by another individual, to climb on a bicycle and remove the artwork. In the video, a voice can be heard expressing frustration, stating, “it makes me so annoyed,” as the man flees the scene with the sign under his arm.
Jasmine Ali, deputy leader of Southwark Council in the Peckham area of south London, has urged the return of the artwork, emphasizing, “It should not have been removed, and we’d like it back so everyone in the community can enjoy Banksy’s brilliant work.”
Banksy, whose real name and identity are unconfirmed, has often cast a critical eye on conflict in his artworks and some fans online speculated that the installation took aim at the war in Gaza.