One of Banksy’s most iconic works, Girl with Balloon, has been stolen from a London gallery, with two men charged with burglary.
The work, with an estimated value of up to £200,000, was taken in a heist over the weekend, with Larry Fraser, 47 , and James Love, 53, arrested after a police investigation.
Girl with Balloon was recovered following the probe by detectives from the Metropolitan Police’s Flying Squad, Girl with Balloon is set to be returned.
Fraser, of Beckton, East London, and Love, from North Stifford, Essex, were charged on Thursday, September 11, with non-residential burglary and remanded in Police Custody.
Both appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, September 12, where they were bailed to next appear at Kingston Crown Court on Wednesday, October 9.
Larry Fraser, 47 , and James Love, 53, have been charged with burglary after Banksy’s Girl with Balloon (pictured) was stolen from a London gallery in New Cavendish Street
The investigation was launched after a burglary at Grove Gallery in New Cavendish Street, at around 11pm on Sunday, September 8.
A Met Police statement confirmed Banksy’s Girl with Balloon was the only item stolen and it has now been recovered and will be returned to the gallery.
The work, depicting a young girl in black graffiti who has just let go of a red heart-shaped balloon, is one of the street artist’s most recognisable pieces.
It was first seen in Waterloo’s South Bank in 2002 next to the quotation: ‘There is always hope.’
It follows a spree of Banksy paintings appearing in the capital, a number of which were defaced over summer.
One mural – which depicts two elephants poking their head out of white windows – popped up in Chelsea in London a week ago but has already been defaced with grey stripes.
Located on Edith Grove, the painting marked the second of nine animal-themed artworks to appear in the capital by the elusive artist.
More to follow.
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