Stolen Banksy artwork worth £270,000 recovered after London gallery burglary

A high-profile Banksy piece, ‘Girl with Balloon,’ stolen during a London gallery break-in, has been recovered by police, with two men charged in connection with the theft that targeted a collection worth £1.5 million.

A Banksy artwork valued at £270,000, titled “Girl with Balloon,” was stolen from the Grove Gallery in London but has since been recovered by police. The Metropolitan Police’s Flying Squad retrieved the piece, which was the sole item taken during the burglary at the gallery. Two men, James Love, 54, and Larry Fraser, 47, have been charged with non-residential burglary in connection with the theft and are due to appear at Kingston Crown Court on October 9.

The theft unfolded when a masked man was caught on CCTV smashing a glass door to gain entry into the gallery. The stolen Banksy was part of an exhibition named “Breakout: Banksy’s London Rebellion,” which showcased a £1.5 million collection of works by the elusive street artist. Prosecutors allege that Love, who is known to have a collection of love heart-themed artworks, orchestrated the theft to add the “Girl with Balloon” print to his private collection.

According to court sources, the night watchman was “startled” to find the large painting placed oddly by an interior doorway, a spot where it had not been earlier in the evening, raising the alarm about the unusual movement of the artwork. The recovery of the piece was a significant development, given its high value and cultural importance.

Both men have been remanded in custody ahead of their court appearance. The case signals ongoing concerns over the security of high-value art collections in London galleries, especially those showcasing works from world-renowned artists like Banksy.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score:
10

Notes:
The narrative is based on a recent press release from The Standard, dated September 16, 2025, detailing the trial of James Love for the theft of Banksy’s ‘Girl with Balloon’ from the Grove Gallery in London. This press release provides the latest updates on the case, including Love’s alleged motive to add the artwork to his existing collection of love heart-themed pieces. The press release is original and has not been republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks. The inclusion of updated information justifies a high freshness score.

Quotes check

Score:
10

Notes:
The press release includes direct quotes from the trial, such as the prosecutor’s statement: ‘Our story starts on September 8 2024 at around 9am.’ These quotes are unique to this press release and have not been found in earlier material, indicating potentially original or exclusive content.

Source reliability

Score:
9

Notes:
The narrative originates from The Standard, a reputable UK news outlet. The press release is well-sourced, providing detailed information about the trial proceedings and the charges against James Love. The Standard is known for its comprehensive coverage of local news, lending credibility to the report.

Plausability check

Score:
10

Notes:
The claims in the press release are plausible and consistent with previous reports on the theft of Banksy’s ‘Girl with Balloon’ from the Grove Gallery in London. The narrative aligns with known facts, including the charges against James Love and the alleged motive to add the artwork to his collection. The language and tone are consistent with typical legal reporting, and the structure focuses on relevant details without excessive or off-topic information.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary:
The press release from The Standard provides original and up-to-date information about the trial of James Love for the theft of Banksy’s ‘Girl with Balloon’. The content is fresh, with no evidence of recycled material, and includes unique quotes from the trial. The source is reputable, and the claims are plausible and consistent with known facts. Therefore, the overall assessment is a PASS with high confidence.