Peckham residents are bemused that a Banksy artwork has been removed – allegedly with bolt cutters – moments after being unveiled in Peckham.
The piece depicting three drones on a traffic stop sign was unveiled this morning (Friday, December 22) – apparently calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
But just hours after being erected, footage on social media appeared to show a man de-attaching the sign before running off down the road. It is unclear what the reason was for the removal, with police unable to shed light on the matter.
Joe Brown, a local resident who got a snap with the priceless piece just before it was taken, said he was “not massively surprised” the artwork was taken down.
But George Riccardi, resident on the Southampton Way Estate, just metres away from where the sign was, was stunned.
The 33-year-old, a key member of the estate’s Tenants’ and Residents’ Association, said: “Oh my gosh. I can’t believe it!
“The fact that it’s real and Banksy would choose this location – that is a huge privilege.
“I’m shocked that it’s been taken down so quickly. I think that will be the reaction of everyone.
“It’s a gift when he does his poignant pieces of artwork.”
But Nick Flower, also a Southampton Way resident, said the “real story” was the victims in Gaza which Banksy had sought to highlight.
“My reaction is, why is the sign being taken down the story, when the real the story is the 8,000 children being killed in Gaza?” he said.
The artist confirmed the artwork – a traffic stop sign covered with three aircraft said to resemble military drones – in an Instagram post today.
Two men were reportedly seen taking down the sign at the intersection of Southampton Way and Commercial Way in Peckham at about 12.30pm.
Police said they’ve received no reports concerning the incident.
Southwark Council has said the sign was not removed on its instructions.
Councillor Jasmine Ali, Deputy Leader of Southwark Council, said: “Of course Banksy picked Peckham, it’s already on the map when it comes to art and is a hotbed for creativity. It should not have been removed and we’d like it back so everyone in the community can enjoy Banksy’s brilliant work. We have reported the removal of our sign to the police to help get it back.”