Two men have been charged following the theft of a Banksy artwork from a central London gallery, according to the Metropolitan Police. The incident occurred at Grove Gallery on New Cavendish Street around 23:00 BST on a Sunday night, prompting an investigation into the burglary. The stolen artwork, Girl with Balloon, has since been recovered and returned to the gallery.
The individuals charged are Larry Fraser, 47, of Beckton, and James Love, 53, of North Stifford. Both men appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court and are scheduled to reappear at Kingston Crown Court on 9 October. Court documents allege the pair entered Grove Gallery as trespassers and stole the Girl With Balloon print, valued at £270,000.
At the time of the theft, Grove Gallery was hosting an exhibition titled Banksy’s London Rebellion, which showcased works by the elusive artist. The gallery had over £1.8 million worth of art on display, but after the theft, all pieces were removed and placed in storage.
Lindor Mehmetaj, the gallery manager, described feeling “petrified and horrified” upon discovering the burglary. After notifying the police, he expressed amazement that the artwork was recovered so quickly. The piece now remains in a police evidence bag at the gallery.
The Girl with Balloon artwork is part of a well-known series by Banksy, with one version gaining international attention after being partially shredded during an auction in 2018. The piece was also voted the UK’s favourite artwork in a 2017 poll.