Three London artworks by Banksy have cost public bodies nearly £150,000 in cleaning, security, and removal fees. The steep public expenditure, driven largely by efforts to restore a mural on the Grade II-listed Royal Courts of Justice, has reignited debates over urban vandalism and historic preservation.
The Royal Courts of Justice Mural and Security Operations
The largest portion of the public spending stems from a mural that appeared in September 2025 on the exterior wall of the Royal Courts of Justice in London. The artwork depicted a judge in a wig striking a protester with a gavel. Banksy confirmed authorship of the piece by publishing images on his official website and Instagram account.
Efforts to protect the site and erase the paint have cost more than £85,000. Freedom of Information disclosures revealed that the Ministry of Justice allocated £50,000 toward cleaning operations on the historic stone walls of Carey Street, while an additional £35,300 went toward security guards and staff overtime.
“The Royal Courts of Justice is a listed building and HMCTS are obliged to maintain its original character.”
HM Courts and Tribunals Service spokesperson
Initial attempts to remove the mural were unsuccessful, and contractors have since been using laser technology. If Westminster city council considers the result inadequate, another cleaning method will be required. As a final option, the affected stonework could be removed and replaced. A listed building consent application has also been submitted for railings to be installed across the wall.
Divergent Public Reactions and Municipal Costs in Westminster
The mounting bills have divided political figures and cultural critics. Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy condemned the expenditure as an avoidable burden on taxpayers.
“It’s outrageous that tens of thousands of pounds of taxpayers’ money – maybe more – will have to be spent cleaning up after Banksy, who seems to believe he has a right to deface public buildings with impunity.”
Nick Timothy, Shadow Justice Secretary
Conversely, art critic Estelle Lovatt defended the work, highlighting the benefits for tourism and accessibility.
“Some people visit Buckingham Palace and others visit Banksy’s art. His work brings people together in a way that politics can divide us. He’s like the Pied Piper or a town crier.”
Estelle Lovatt, art critic
The courts mural is not the only installation straining municipal budgets. Westminster City Council reported spending almost £60,000 managing a separate installation in Waterloo Place near Trafalgar Square. That artwork—a statue of a man carrying a flag—appeared in April 2026. The funds covered administrative oversight, a security guard, and safety barriers erected around the site.
Piranhas on Ludgate Hill and Museum Preservation Plans
A third Banksy work added removal expenses. In August 2024, Banksy painted a shoal of piranha fish across a police sentry box in the City of London. The booth had originally been installed in the 1990s as a security measure against the IRA.
The box was removed at a cost of £2,200 and was never replaced. It is due to go on display at the London Museum when it reopens in November.
Worth a look