New Banksy artwork stolen from south London street

An artwork created by Banksy has been removed from a south London street less than an hour after it was confirmed to be a genuine installation.
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Two men were seen taking down the sign at the intersection of Southampton Way and Commercial Way in Peckham at about 12.30pm. It is understood Banksy was not behind the removal.
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#Banksy #Peckham #Art #London

[@public.public]

the sign said stop but he just carried on.

[@Steven-gl4cw]

Lol

[@Zx-ln1lk]

lol nice one

[@Autonomous1969]

They aren't doing the black community any favours.

[@weshardin6609]

It's nothing anyone doesn't know already

[@booksthatmakemethink]

@@weshardin6609 Oh give it a rest will ya?

[@StephenSmith-zp7pf]

@@booksthatmakemethink Pointing out a salient point is not giving it a rest. Stop looking to be offended.

[@earthangel1457]

Doing the community the same favour as those tearing down Ulez cameras.

[@thesilencer2272]

Like the black community cares, they want to live like this

[@IansOddInterests]

Yep, something that could have been a benefit and positive for community is stolen for the greed of one scumbag.

[@daveberry2177]

so if you paint on council owned property or deface a road sign should you be charged, i think so, who dose this Banksy fellow think he is paint on road signs, im a tax payer, he needs arresting himself what do you think, one law for all

[@dts7824]

​@@daveberry2177the point made about drones is surely the bigger issue. You can still see the road sign

[@daveberry2177]

i dose not matter banksy has defaced a road sign that cannot be read by drivers end of, this is criminal damage, so iam making a complaint to the police, banksy needs arresting as well. no ifs and buts, who dose he think he is@@dts7824

[@lerm4676]

A great example of london's diversity.

[@cedricklyon]

That's dangerous : cars won't stop anymore !

[@daveberry2177]

so if you paint on council owned property or deface a road sign should you be charged, i think so, who dose this Banksy fellow think he is paint on road signs, im a tax payer, he needs arresting himself what do you think, one law for all

[@channelbizt]

@@daveberry2177Jeez, lighten up

[@GregorSamsa000]

It's not like london traffic regulation works efficiently anyways. Traffic lights for pedestrians (if they are installed) are just there to abuse you and make you wait five minutes before crossing the road.

[@nmuchanyuka]

😂😂🎉

[@NoWindNoSunNoPower]

Diversity at its finest.

[@prometheus23c]

Thrilled that they have now arrested him. Maybe there is still a tiny bit of rule of law left in this country.

[@Pyjamarama11]

Ok to graffiti a traffic sign tho I guess

[@jayj6325]

Banksy's probably paid him to nick it!

[@hb7of9]

Haha, try moving so south africa

[@lahtal1]

@@jayj6325 With all the money he's made from capitalism.

[@TheBarnestah]

​@@Pyjamarama11it's hardly been defaced. Grow up.

[@christianhodgson5305]

The people moaning that this is theft would be the first to moan that there's graffiti on a sign , only because its a Banksy piece with value your all getting offended.

[@Tom_pr]

you dont steel... you dont steel traffic signs either.

[@Fab666.]

Ppl are unhappy because what is supposed to be art for the public (which I don’t even care about) is being stolen by a couple of road men

[@JBFranny]

Lets see if its a "Racially motivated" arrest.

[@lucilaluz8367]

Face recognition & jail

[@Rufus100]

Usual suspects, no surprise there 🙄

[@bigpauliep6992]

Grrr, those pesky junior doctors!

[@thekurgan3688]

@ListenUp-py1qm what a racist thing to say

[@rubytuesday9831]

It takes one to know one😂

[@user-vr4yk7mp7l]

correct me if i am wrong but should Banksy be held to account for his actions in defacing a road sign could be considered putting road users in danger if it cannot be seen clearly

[@weshardin6609]

Your assuming Banksy will own it.

[@tomspyro5795]

The whole reason stop signs are that shape is so you can see that it’s a stop sign even if it’s covered by ice or snow for example

[@EnglishAbundance]

Conforming to stereotypes... Well done, men.

[@charlesosborne2795]

What stereotype? As if I have to ask. Smh

[@aqswde110]

​@@charlesosborne2795 you didn't have to ask because you already knew

[@bigpauliep6992]

Diversity is our strength! I'm guessing these two junior doctors were striking or something..?

[@leejames5539]

It’s in there DNA

[@azprogrammer7393]

It's in they're spelling proficiency

[@trypraying.]

RAL9004 type

[@solent38]

It's either a publicity stunt or the suspects are supremely confident that they act by committing a criminal offence, in broad daylight, on a London street, with dozens of witnesses watching and recording the act, with impunity

[@charlesosborne2795]

The theft itself is art.

[@edwardgibbs4272]

And of course it’s the wonderful people of culture that’s knicked it

[@Emailmesoicanignoreu]

You mean the British? 😂

[@Jack-bs6zb]

Understand that Banksy has special ‘establishment approval’ status. His work is a pastiche of Sixties agitprop graffiti, which has nostalgic significance for the governing elite who were undergraduates of that period. In Cheltenham, Banksy ‘decorated’ the gable end of a private house. The local authority slapped a special protection order on it. The homeowner, who was not consulted by Banksy, was forbidden from repairing the vandalism. We need wholesale political change in this country

[@donwill575420]

The police aren't investigating as no one has reported an artwork missing? What?! Isn't this a crime?

[@jessepasley5429]

Artwork? You mean vandalism, right?

[@-ratto-]

black lives matter

[@daveberry2177]

so if you paint on council owned property or deface a road sign should you be charged, i think so, who dose this Banksy fellow think he is paint on road signs, im a tax payer, he needs arresting himself what do you think, one law for all

[@Greenpoloboy3]

They didnt steal it. It fell on him without his knowledge

[@kissedbythesun6784]

If I deface a road sign would it be considered art or vandalism? I suppose it’s ok as long as your name is Banksy ???????

[@alpark56]

No surprise there who nicked it, probably nicked a few bikes on the way home, the little 💩 😂😢🤬

[@theresapierce3934]

Daylight theft, I hope nobody buys this and the thieves are caught.

[@Steven-gl4cw]

Sorry dad. I thought you would like it for Xmas.

[@alexanio81]

Both men have been arrested.

[@Induna123]

Pair of muppets, like their faces wouldn't be all over the internet.

[@Briejrbfidn]

Call me racist but we all knew who was gonna take it.

[@Steven-gl4cw]

I thought it would be spongebob squarepants. How wrong was I.

[@Fab666.]

The French again

[@Faz_O_Relax]

The bike he was standing on was probably stolen too. That’s what they do.

[@eddyvideostar]

Peckham and parts of Camberwell are the Harlem of London.

[@Bb-kr5bu]

gentrified???

[@eddyvideostar]

@@Bb-kr5buBb: Oh! You mean that's improvement where you are?

[@haychkay3590]

Harlem? Have you seen Harlem these days? Maybe you mean Harlem in the 80s

[@toto6773]

HOW'S ABOUT ARRESTING BANKSY FOR DEFACING PUBLIC PROPERTY

He saw the vandalism, taken the sign to ride back to his garage on his Yamaha to clean it. Since the council is replacing the sign there is no need to add extra pollution, so will keep the sign.

[@MrHammerkop]

Now what exactly was stolen here, the stop sign, or an item of graffiti, or a stop sign and (or with) an item of graffiti? I ask, because the haste with which the police have responded is not customary. Another question: Whose property is the sign, or is ownership in this case divisible, or perhaps joint, between the original sign and the author of the graffiti augment? You can't help wondering whether the status of the graffitist has accorded the sign a certain protected privilege. This case is surely, after all, a matter of defaced public property, and the consequent issue of causing a hazard to traffic. What steps, if any, have the police taken to apprehend the graffitist for defacing public property and thereby compromising visibility to motorists? Let is say a decent, sensible, orderly. upright, rightminded, safety conscious, community spirited, diligent, law-abiding and aesthetically discerning citizen had pre-empted the question by cheerfully scrubbing the sign back to its original condition and purpose; then what possible objection could be raised?

[@FormidableOne]

Kfc people back at it again

[@lahtal1]

I thought Banksey was against capitalism however at his exhibition it was 3 floors and one of the floors was an over priced gift shop of poorly made items you would find at at any old junk shop. The shop was so big and overpriced it was capitalism on steroids. What a sale out 👎🏼

[@upfulsoul826]

He's worth millions. He's not anti-capitalist.

[@ginos_here]

He got here on Banksy human trafficking boat, the irony. Stop bringing people to england on your boat mr banksy it is illegal

[@SilverDomUK]

Ah just another case of racial profiling!

[@PaulDixon-xw9yl]

OMG I thought it was gonna be an Asian woman committing the crime....I'm shocked!!

[@neilwheel]

I just got an email from a Nigerian Prince saying his mother just died and left him a priceless artwork which he said he will deliver personally if I send him my bank details and a photo of my passport. Praise jaysuss! The lord helps those who help themselves!

[@Nazaman83]

His father must be really proud of him ...oh wait, he's black and the father walked out when he was a child.

[@skyll4141]

steal your clothes if you stood still long enough.

[@dnavid]

nice piece of performance art, make a "rebellious artwork" then hire two blokes to "steal" it. People go bonkers = brilliant?

[@Newman.Cleaner]

Who was holding the camera?

[@Emailmesoicanignoreu]

Banksy herself 😂

[@jamesbarratt593]

Non of ya did anything. Not even following the person. Five could have surrounded him. Held him down. You should all be ashamed too.

[@sebastianhugely7035]

It never helps one’s defence “when there’s a video of you actually doing the crime”.

[@gitarman666]

No one will pay a dime for that, Illegal to steal a stop sign and the Banksy world usually ignores removed pieces as street art as worthless, I know the artist does

[@duncanbedford4765]

How racist! The 'gentlemen' are only borrowing it ! 😂

[@rubytuesday9831]

How about your little shallow mind considering that this act may actually be part of the art? Who would steal graffiti in broad daylight and in plain view unless they were looking 4 trouble.

[@leejames5539]

😂

[@memyselfandi2506]

@@rubytuesday9831I could be wrong but I doubt it cos he won’t have chosen black guys. It’s like in the movies. The white guy always has to be the villain nowadays

[@duncanbedford4765]

Paper said he's not responsible.

[@Tom_pr]

​@@rubytuesday9831 otherwise it would be quite strange that nobody is doing "something" about it. i would at least ask him what he is doing and tell him to stop that

[@ryancasey919]

Banksy probably asked him to do it or paid him to do it; for all we know that is Banksy.

[@RadagonTheRed]

If it isn’t nailed down they’ll take it.

[@WBGIanTheRed]

Now arrest his accomplice.

[@Bb-kr5bu]

How do you know he isn't Banksy??? Oh and regarding the ignorant comments, if he did unlawfully take it, Ive stood in waitrose and seen middle class european women sneak bottles of wine into their shopping bag multiple times. Does that mean all European middle class women are usual suspects??? SMDH

[@catam9308]

How do you know they are middle class? How do you know they are European? Last, how do you know they are women? Alot of assuming there. A heck of a lot.

[@trojanpro]

maybe that is banksy?

[@aidapttrial9214]

Deffo not Banksy lol.But im sure Banksy would of guessed that something like this would happen. He prob could of even set it up to cause publicity

[@jaskbi]

​@@aidapttrial9214it was a banksy what made you so sure it wasn't

[@aidapttrial9214]

​@@jaskbiI thought the comment meant Banksy himself the dialect wasn't clear. I know the art piece was a Banksy

[@Crouchy232323]

This guy must be stopped!

[@Christycat927]

I guess I don't get it... Was this a legit street sign? There shouldn't be "art" on a street sign... It's distracting to drivers. Also, lots of racist comments down below.

[@insanelyinsensitive4059]

Funny nobody is concerned about grafitti on a road safety sign.

[@jrisner6535]

Nice thing is that it stops being an official Bansky as soon as he steals it... Bansky won't recognise it

[@Arianrhod323]

The photo of the theft looks like something Banksy would paint. The theft is art.

[@allanchurm]

it is banksy art he put it on his sight..now someone just stole it..now there is no stop sign there..

[@Arianrhod323]

@@allanchurm yes but the theft may still be the art. Three planes on a stop sign isn’t much of a statement about Palestine. You would expect more from him and here you have it. Theft in plain sight.

[@rubytuesday9831]

I agree the theft is art.

[@James-qw5kd]

Thieves would agree

[@rahldraconis708]

That was not art it was damage to government property and wanksy should also he arrested for putting people in danger

[@QWERTY-bc1uq]

That's our DEI hire right there, the employee must be proud

[@mingmingyip19]

NOT SURPRISED!!

[@jonathansmythe6273]

I don't see a theft. just litter picking.

[@svenwald9199]

@@JustAlex848so what is the punishment for that? Pay a fine of 500$? He is a millionaire now, it’s nothing for him

[@allanchurm]

trouble is there is no stop sign there now ..

[@svenwald9199]

@@allanchurm I am sure, they replaced it now after all the media attention

[@peripheral1975]

People just mad cause he thought of it first😂

[@sardar7]

It's easy to spot the thieves' demographic group. Such a clear show of culture and ethnic persuasion.

[@sardar7]

@@mrjohn125 Truth is hard to handle; that's why leftists try to hide lies within lies, while the western society crumbles against hordes of criminals.

[@Pyjamarama11]

Looking forward to The Met pressing charges on the Banksy collective for defacing public property yet again

[@xlott3667]

So that stop sign is just a trash. Even It was made by Banksy if you can't sold it in an auction for the reason you stole it. The value will remain 0. I hope he stole it for the art but not for its value thinking he will be rich if he sells it.

[@beardtrick]

Deport

[@bkucenski]

Nice of Banksy to do some charity work this holiday season. I think he appreciates people who are poor profiting from his work more than rich jerks profiting off of it.

[@allanchurm]

there is that now its on the news he will sell it somewhere.

[@Emailmesoicanignoreu]

Did you ran a credit check no the guy? 😅

[@balazslakatos9817]

I wouldn't be surprised if the stealing was planned, part of the art.

[@heywatchme101]

It is just like that hidden shredder artwork he did at the auction

[@Mike_5]

This single act will confuse BMW driver's for years to come

[@user-gs5xf6er9g]

More rights please.

[@Jonathonsup]

He shouldn’t paint things that can easily be taken. I’d stick to walls and buildings

[@user-pg5mg2ey1p]

Oh it's black again

[@dogstar5572]

Banksy used to leave art all over london for people to find.

[@briitash]

Another channel hopper adding to the economy.

[@eddyvideostar]

Their hopes may get dashed.

[@tomthompson7400]

well it makes a change from stealing bikes , and he didnt even need his angle grinder for this one.

[@theaddictgamer31]

Who is Banksy🤔?

[@Nurse_Diesel]

Black Pride.

[@HowlingWo1f]

So that’s what Kanye West has been up to

[@dickp3805]

Usual suspects 😂😂😂

[@notinthemood.-ur4uy]

Normal day in south london

[@iborg358]

Politely being looked after by Peckham black community Well done

[@earthangel1457]

It will be put to better use

[@danyjr]

diVeRSiTy iS oUr sTrEnGtH

[@andresr5512]

Smettetela di parlare di questa storia, magari era solo tutta una recita! E poi chi decide il valore di un'opera ed in base a quali criteri?

[@eazykiel9710]

Le pire c'est les gens qui laissent faire.

[@ragga_muffin_84]

The usual suspects.

[@colinbason]

Unemployed behaviour

[@quiricomazarin476]

Unemployed or not it's in their d.n.a

[@esbee666]

Stolen from who exactly?

[@russkiy6ot]

Whom

[@200swilson]

Generally you're not allowed to rip down street signs as far as i'm aware! So to answer your question, the tax payer.

[@Crouchy232323]

The King

[@allanchurm]

true was it from the council or banksy ???

[@unamor]

Unrelated, I know... But: what type of jacket is that he's wearing?

[@Steven-gl4cw]

Day release from the bibby stockholm .

[@addoublez]

Imagine my shock. I'd check on the bicycle as well whilst the police are involved.

[@middleman9183]

Someone must know who these two losers are?

[@Steven-gl4cw]

Agreed. They know each other !!!

[@KippaxDan]

Surprise surprise it was stolen by a Malteser. This country is ruined.

[@MysteryPlum]

They can't help themselves can they?

[@mohamedsaleh3099]

Just replace the sign and sell that bad boy

[@James-qw5kd]

Um...nobody stopped him? 🤦‍♂️ I refuse to believe we've become a planet full of cowards with cell phones...

[@Steven-gl4cw]

Master criminal the way he slid up to that sign and slipped away makes me wonder if houdini has come back from the dead as a black man. It was so subtle it just proves ghosts can't 👻 be caught on camera. I can see all the art dealers wanting that as nobody knows its been stolen Its absolutely genius . Stop and search won't be needed he will be the only octagonal shaped person in Peckham.

[@billwilkinson8609]

The evidence to arrest the two criminals is clear. Why have the police not made an arrest and presented the criminals before the courts ?

[@Enlightenmemaybe8]

Cause the thieves are the wrong colour

[@aqswde110]

Hes literally holding a banana 🤣 you couldn't make it up

[@LR52VUU]

its on ebay for £200,000.00

[@user-sf7kl9uh7k]

£190,000 stop exaggerating.

[@NONAME-ze1kx]

Link ?

[@Stylushothead]

Sold at 295,000.00

[@user-sf7kl9uh7k]

@@Stylushothead BS it obviously wasn't sold.

[@roberttruman8444]

You can tell he's a thief, he's perfected the scarper run.

[@thomaskemp904]

Surprise Surprise

[@Salamander407]

Oh, the coveted ones at it again.

[@richard_M7116]

There goes Banksy taking his art work back to touch it up😂