A man has been arrested on suspicion of theft and criminal damage after the removal of a new Banksy artwork in Peckham, South London. The incident occurred shortly after the renowned, yet elusive, artist Banksy confirmed the authenticity of the work on social media.

Details of the Incident

• Artwork Confirmation: Banksy confirmed his latest creation, a traffic stop sign embellished with military drones, via a social media post on Friday just after midday.
• Removal of Artwork: Within 30 minutes of the confirmation, two men were observed dismantling the sign located at the intersection of Southampton Way and Commercial Way in Peckham. The event was captured on video, drawing remarks from several bystanders.

Metropolitan Police Statement

The Metropolitan Police have confirmed the arrest of one man in connection with the incident. He is currently in custody. The police had been alerted about the missing sign on Friday and had coordinated with local authorities to replace the road sign for public safety. Investigations into the theft are ongoing.

Southwark Council’s Response

Jasmine Ali, the Deputy Leader of Southwark Council, emphasized that the artwork should not have been removed and expressed the council’s desire to retrieve it for community enjoyment. The council has reported the sign’s removal to the police to reclaim it.

Eyewitness Accounts

• One witness, referred to as Alex, described the removal process in detail, including the use of a Lime bike to reach the sign and bolt cutters to detach it. The man who removed the artwork did not respond to bystanders’ inquiries and quickly left the scene with the sign.
• Alex had arrived to view the artwork after learning of its posting on Instagram, only to witness its removal.

Banksy’s Artwork and Recent Removals

This incident is not the first time a Banksy artwork has been removed soon after its reveal. Earlier this year, a mural titled “Valentine’s Day Mascara” in Margate, Kent, was dismantled within hours of its online disclosure by Banksy.

Community Reaction

The swift removal of Banksy’s work has sparked a mixture of bemusement and concern among the public, particularly regarding the preservation of street art and its accessibility to the community.

This development adds to the complex narrative surrounding Banksy’s art, which often becomes a target for removal due to its high value and public interest.