'Selfish and mindless' vandalism of Banksy in Suffolk
The artwork's been defaced just days after it appeared in our region.
Last updated 17th Aug 2021
It's been just days since elusive artist Banksy confirmed a number of artworks which had popped up around Norfolk and Suffolk were his, and one's already been vandalised.
East Suffolk Council has said it is “appalled” that a new Banksy artwork that had brought excitement to a seaside town has been defaced.
Banksy recently confirmed that a painting of a rat sitting on a deckchair on the seafront was one of a series he's recently completed in the region.
But residents in the Suffolk town awoke on Sunday to the news that the new attraction had been daubed with white paint.
In a statement, East Suffolk Council said: “We are naturally appalled that someone has chosen to behave in such a selfish and mindless way given how excited we all are by the appearance of these works here on the east coast.
“We are, however, hopeful that this particular work can be restored, and are engaging with specialists.”
The council said that prior to the rat art being confirmed as a genuine Banksy it had placed an order for protective materials to safeguard the piece.
It added: “In the interim, we have also employed security patrols to visit each site and on this occasion, our patrols actually interrupted the individual defacing this work and prevented any further damage occurring.
“We are very grateful for the huge goodwill of local people who are proud of these artworks, but we would kindly ask people not to try and repair the works themselves and to please leave this to professional restorers.”
Suffolk Police has since launched an investigation into the criminal damage in Lowestoft.
Officers are keen to speak to anyone who visited the artwork after 5.30pm on Saturday 14th August, so they can try and establish a more accurate time of when the vandalism took place.
Anyone who was responsible or saw any suspicious activity in the Links Hill car park between 5.35pm on the Saturday and Sunday 15th August, is being asked to call Lowestoft Police, quoting crime reference 37/44810/21.