Banksy painting stolen during school fete
A limited-edition painting by renowned graffiti artist Banksy has been stolen from a school.
The print was taken from Highgate Primary School, in Sileby, where it had been on the wall of head teacher David Godfrey's office.
The theft was discovered at 8am on Tuesday, but the school thinks it may have been removed during the school fete on Saturday, June 20.
A school spokeswoman said: "It may well have happened during the fete when we had visitors in the school.
"People were welcomed in but unfortunately it looks like someone left with the painting."
The value of the picture, of a leopard walking away from barcode which is made to look like a cage, has not been disclosed.
Police want to speak to anyone seen in the Heathcote Drive area carrying a black framed painting measuring about two feet by two-and-a-half feet.
Pc Richard Spivey, who is investigating the incident, said: "We would like to speak to members of the public who saw anyone acting suspiciously at the time.
"We would also like to hear from anyone in the second-hand arts industry who has been offered a painting like this, or anyone who knows someone who has recently acquired a piece of artwork."
Call police on 0116 222 2222 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
5 Comments
by Hannah, Leicestershire
Wednesday, July 01 2009, 2:53PM
“I too agree with Lucy. I think it¿s a shame that people think every school has to keep anything of value under lock and key. For people to say that it was the head masters fault that somebody has been dishonest when a high valued school such as Highgate puts trust in the community is a sad reflection on today¿s society.”
by Jo, Leicestershire
Wednesday, July 01 2009, 8:52AM
“I think I have to agree with Lucy, teachers today can¿t do right for wrong! By exposing children however young, to new ideas and formats they would never encounter, can only bring on the next Banksy or David Hockney. Maybe Eddie and CJ think we should stick to power paints and blue tack, how stimulating ¿.”
by Lucy, Leicestershire
Tuesday, June 30 2009, 9:00AM
“I think it¿s sad that both comments focus on the rather sorry point of the ¿stupidity¿ of the head, rather than the openness and trust held by the school. Perhaps as apposed to being so critical Eddie, we should think about how sad it is that a local primary school has to be so distrustful and suspicious of its guests, who are on the large part parents, that all doors must be keep locked during a summer fate to avoid theft. I know the kind of school I¿d want my children to learn lessons and values from.”
by CJ, Leics
Monday, June 29 2009, 11:50AM
“Good point there Eddie, also as you say the head office door should have been locked if it was vacant, no one should be able to walk around the school freely, also how did no one notice someone walking out with a painting?”
by eddie, leicester
Monday, June 29 2009, 11:07AM
“Why was this picture in the heads office? if it was his own then He should have been looking after it more carefully, at home maybe,if it was the schools it should have been on public display instead of feeding the ego of this head by keeping it in his own office.Either way crass stupidity and a stunning lack of security awareness...hope it was insured because the last Banksy of that size I saw sold went for £35,000.”