Street artist Banksy's works have incurred public costs of nearly £150,000 for cleaning operations and security measures, with the total expected to rise. These figures were revealed through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests.
The largest single expense, totaling over £85,000, is associated with a mural that appeared on the Royal Courts of Justice in London in September 2025. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has spent approximately £50,000 attempting to remove paint from the Grade II-listed building, alongside an additional £35,300 for overtime and security.
Banksy, who rose to prominence from Bristol's graffiti scene in the 1990s, is renowned for his pieces that often appear unexpectedly and draw significant public attention. The disclosure of these costs is likely to reignite discussions about the classification of Banksy's art as either vandalism or valuable public art.
The mural in question, depicted on the wall of the Royal Courts of Justice on Carey Street, shows a judge in a wig striking a protester with a gavel. Banksy later claimed authorship of the artwork via his website and Instagram account.
Other costs related to Banksy's art include expenses for a mural that appeared on a City of London Police sentry box, which featured Piranha fish painted on its perspex windows. While specific figures for this instance were not detailed in the provided notes, the overall sum indicates a notable expenditure by taxpayers to manage such public art installations.