A Banksy artwork stolen from a London exhibition and recovered by police may now rocket in value, according to the gallery manager.
Two men have been charged over the theft of the Girl With Balloon print, which was snatched from the Grove Gallery on Sunday night by a hooded figure who smashed through the glass door.
CCTV shows the thief making a hole big enough to clamber through, before yanking the artwork from the wall and running away.
The print has been returned and two men, Larry Fraser, 47, and James Love, 53, have been charged with non-residential burglary and remanded in custody.
Gallery manager Lindor Mehmetaj said he hoped the alleged theft may have even increased its value.
Banksy’s the Girl With Balloon print now sits in a nondescript office within the gallery, wrapped in a police evidence bag, and the other artwork has been removed and taken into secure storage
Two men have been charged over the theft of the Girl With Balloon print, which was snatched from the Grove Gallery on Sunday night by a hooded figure who smashed through the glass door
More than £1.8million worth of art was on display at the time when robbers broke into the art gallery
‘Typically when fine art and masterpieces are stolen, the financial value can skyrocket,’ he said. ‘Beforehand, I would argue that the limited edition signed print by Banksy was valued at around £270,000. Whether it has doubled in value or tripled or quadrupled, we have to wait and see, but typically that is what occurs.’
More than £1.8million worth of art was on display at the time at the gallery, which is holding an exhibition of the artist’s work named Breakout: Banksy’s London Rebellion.
The stolen piece now sits in a nondescript office within the gallery, wrapped in a police evidence bag, and the other artwork has been removed and taken into secure storage.
Fraser, from Beckton in East London and Love, from North Stifford, Essex, appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on Thursday and will next appear at Kingston Crown Court on October 9.