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Graffiti vandal sprays offensive message on the site of Folkestone's Banksy in Payers Park after the artwork was removed

10:00, 05 November 2014

A vandal has sprayed offensive graffiti on the spot where Banksy created his latest artwork - after it was controversially removed to be sold on.

The foul-mouthed message, which attacks the owner of the building for ripping out the piece, appeared overnight.

The message reads: "**** you. Art is for the people, not you. **** Godden. Charity my ****".

The graffiti was sprayed in the void left by the removal of the Banksy. Picture: Michelle Goody
The graffiti was sprayed in the void left by the removal of the Banksy. Picture: Michelle Goody

It has been left to protest the removal of the work by the elusive artist, which is thought to be worth £300,000.

It is currently being kept in storage, and is due to be sold on by a London art dealer to raise funds for charity.

Police were called at the weekend as protests took place against the removal of the image, which shows a woman looking at a plinth.

Art Buff on the wall in Payers Park before it was removed. Picture: Wayne McCabe
Art Buff on the wall in Payers Park before it was removed. Picture: Wayne McCabe

It caused a stir when it appeared in September, with many welcoming it as a "tremendous opportunity" for Folkestone that would draw in visitors.

Folkestone and Hythe MP Damian Collins is leading to calls for the Banksy to be returned to the town.

He has written to the Godden family - who own the amusement arcade wall it was put on - to appeal for the piece to remain in Folkestone and stop it from being sold at auction.

Vandals damaged the Banksy when it was there. Picture: Paul Amos
Vandals damaged the Banksy when it was there. Picture: Paul Amos

He said he had spoken to Jeremy Godden, who said it has not been sold yet and that the family is open to offers.

It is not the first time the site has been daubed with graffiti. When the Banksy image was still there, it was vandalised twice.

The first time, vandals sprayed a penis on the perspex protecting the artwork.

Shortly after it was cleaned off, a "tag" signature was sprayed there.

It is thought the owners of the building had become fed up with the burden of protecting it, and plan to sell it off for a cancer charity.

The most recent graffiti is being scrubbed off this morning.


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