Hazmat suit-clad burglar is caught trying to steal a £5million Bansky artwork from an NHS hospital
Hazmat suit-clad burglar with a cordless drill is caught trying to steal a £5million Bansky artwork from an NHS hospital just two days after the elusive artist donated it
- Banksy donated ‘Game Changer’ to Southampton General Hospital on May 6
- Just two days later, a man was seen on CCTV by guards as he skulked around
- Banksy’s offering marks brave work of health service as UK battles coronavirus
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
Published: 20:12 EDT, 24 May 2020 | Updated: 03:28 EDT, 25 May 2020
A hazmat suit-wearing burglar with a cordless drill was caught trying to steal a £5million artwork by mysterious street artist Bansky from an NHS hospital.
The renowned artist donated the painting titled ‘Game Changer’ to Southampton General Hospital on May 6.
He left it with a note for hospital workers reading: ‘Thanks for all you’re doing. I hope this brightens the place up a bit, even if its only black and white.’
A hazmat suit-wearing burglar with a cordless drill was caught trying to steal a £5million artwork (pictured) by mysterious street artist Bansky from an NHS hospital in Southampton
The renowned artist donated the painting titled ‘Game Changer’ to Southampton General Hospital (pictured) on May 6
Just two days later, the man was seen on CCTV by guards as he skulked around in front of the highly-valuable artwork.
He was swiftly removed from the hospital.
A source told The Sun: ‘Security spotted him and asked a supervisor if they should stop him.
‘They were told to watch him and he was seen walking past the picture at least five times, clearly having a good look.
‘Security stepped in and he was removed.’
The artwork depicts a young boy playing with action figures.
In a poignant gesture Batman and Spiderman have been discarded in favour of an NHS nurse sporting a mask and cape.
The painting will remain at Southampton General Hospital (pictured) until the autumn when it will be auctioned to raise money for the NHS
Banksy’s latest offering is to mark the brave work of the health service as the UK battles coronavirus.
The only colour within the piece can be seen in the flash of red on the nurse’s apron, marking the Red Cross of the health service.
The painting will remain at Southampton General Hospital until the autumn when it will be auctioned to raise money for the NHS.
Staff and patients at the hospital are able to view the creation where it resides, on level C of the building.