A mural designed by British street artist Banksy has been vandalized this week, leaving the town council "appalled". According to <a href="https://www.indy100.com/news/banksy-art-destroyed-lowestoft-suffolk-b1902907" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indy100</a>, the artwork in question was painted on the side of a wall at the seaside promenade in the town of Lowestoft in Suffolk. It depicts a small rat, sitting in a deckchair under a sunshade, with a martini glass held in its paw - a piece that <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CShWMUwFKkI/">Banksy later confirmed</a> on social media was their work. [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/EastSuffolk/status/1426230018020102149]] But on Sunday the town awoke to the unfortunate news that the artwork had been defaced after an unknown perpetrator daubed the mural in white paint. Per the above publication, the local authority bemoaned the vandalism in an official statement, which read: <blockquote>"We are naturally appalled that someone has chosen to behave in such a selfish and mindless way given how excited we all are by the appearance of these works here on the east coast."</blockquote> [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/EastSuffolk/status/1426852883601965057]] [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/ScottishSun/status/1427004750868979715]] The statement continued: "In the interim, we have also employed security patrols to visit each site and on this occasion, our patrols actually interrupted the individual defacing this work and prevented any further damage occurring." "We are very grateful for the huge goodwill of local people who are proud of these artworks, but we would kindly ask people not to try and repair the works themselves and to please leave this to professional restorers." However, on Twitter a number of social media users have taken umbrage over the council's attitude, accusing the local authority of having "double standards" over what constitutes graffiti. [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/w33bby/status/1426963362626293772]] For example, one person wrote: "Isn’t it just graffiti tho. If somebody other than Banksy was spraying paint everywhere you’d be cleaning it off." [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/MOMProject1/status/1426894670605475844]] Then this commenter stated: "It’s graffiti……… you have fined many over this kind of art but condone it here and call people selfish. "[You're] mindless with name calling ….. giving preference. So is it against the law to graffiti or not…….. double standards……. Cool work though [sic]" [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/jimmyvegas17/status/1426941328143921156]] Finally, someone else added: "Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the original 'artwork' vandalism anyway? Did you commission the 'art?' No. Therefore by definition, it's vandalism." Others, however, were quick to defend the council, Banksy, and the artwork. [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/fabdolicious/status/1426966568337121285]] One person tweeted: "How can anyone moan about having #banksy rock up to your town and leave some art. I would be buzzing. Some ppl really need to just enjoy the vibe. Hes a genius [sic]". [[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/CShWMUwFKkI/]] Writing on their Instagram account, Banksy later confirmed that the piece was a part of a series of artworks called "The Great Spraycation. <h6>Featured Image Credit: Alamy/Jeffery Blacker</h6>

Council 'appalled' after new Banksy art is 'destroyed' - but people are calling out 'double standards'

Top Stories

News

Inmates bust out of jail using a toothbrush and head straight to local IHOP

News

Man's license plate is recalled as state officials deem it too vulgar to be on the road

News

'Hero' CrossFit coach and father drown after saving wife from rip current while scattering ashes

News

People rush to defense of TikToker who was mocked for calling $80 purse a 'luxury item'

News

Mom, 88, was 'left to die by her carers with no food or water for 28 days', son says

News

Woman, 29, who posed as New Jersey High School student pleads not guilty