Banksy works cost public almost £150k

Three Banksy murals have cost UK taxpayers nearly £150,000 in cleaning and security expenses, with a mural on the Royal Courts of Justice alone accounting for over £85,000 in removal and protection costs since September 2025. The spending has reignited debate over whether Banksy's work constitutes valuable public art or criminal vandalism, with critics arguing he should pay for cleanup costs and supporters highlighting the cultural and tourism benefits his art brings.