Is it a crime to deface traffic signs?

OldFrill

The OP asks is it a crime to deface a traffic sign.
I don't agree that Banksy has defaced the sign.
Cut and paste all the links to legal waffle you like, it's all irrelevant.
Either you think he defaced the sign or not.

Out of interest is there anything you would consider had 'defaced' the traffic sign? A personal tag? A political statement eg "Stop the boats" or "Refugees welcome"? "Happy Birthday Rob, 29 today"?

The OP asks is it a crime to deface a traffic sign.
I don't agree that Banksy has defaced the sign.
Cut and paste all the links to legal waffle you like, it's all irrelevant.
Either you think he defaced the sign or not.

RosiesMaw

Whenever people start pontificating about “the law of the land” (as if there were any other sort, I just switch off.

As is your right! When laws are applied differently according to perceived "worthiness" I reserve my right to 'pontificate' if that's what you perceive fairness to be. I then make a judgement about posters I'd previously respected, as is my right.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202312/medium-885682-funny-road-signs-cletabraham-616422cf2ab63-700.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202312/medium-649179-20220206-091245.jpg

Banksy is primarily a messenger - and tending towards anti-authoritarian. He does this through art.

So is this one! This, ironically, is a protest against unjust rules.

That's amazing! So clever and doesn't cause any motorist to lose concentration even for one second. Of course not being Banksy, it has so little value................

Whenever people start pontificating about “the law of the land” (as if there were any other sort, I just switch off.

Banksy is primarily a messenger - and tending towards anti-authoritarian. He does this through art.

This is what I call street art. The artist is actually on the pavement.

FannyFanackerpan

S22a Road Traffic Act

(1)A person is guilty of an offence if he intentionally and without lawful authority or reasonable cause—

(c)interferes (directly or indirectly) with traffic equipment

3)In subsection (1) above “traffic equipment” means—

(a)anything lawfully placed on or near a road by a highway authority;

(b)a traffic sign lawfully placed on or near a road by a person other than a highway authority

So is Banksy an artist or a vandal?

Well unless we're placing Banksy as above the law, then definitely a vandal who placed his artistry unlawfully on a road traffic sign. Some apparently consider that a monetary value overrides the law of the land.

S22a Road Traffic Act

(1)A person is guilty of an offence if he intentionally and without lawful authority or reasonable cause—

(c)interferes (directly or indirectly) with traffic equipment

3)In subsection (1) above “traffic equipment” means—

(a)anything lawfully placed on or near a road by a highway authority;

(b)a traffic sign lawfully placed on or near a road by a person other than a highway authority

So is Banksy an artist or a vandal?

OldFrill

The OP is about crime in relation to defacing traffic signs. Maybe needs a new thread for walls.

Traffic signs need to be clear, they are instructions, they need no "enhancements". What's the difference between a Banksy 'enhancement' and the local graffiti squad 'enhancements' except an elitist attitude? Why do you consider Banksy above the law that applies to absolutely any other graffiti artist?
I have no problem with Banksy's embellishment or enhancement of any private property where he has permission but to place him as an exception from the law of the land in relation to anyone else seems bizarre and illogical to me. I don't approve of one law for the masses but an exceptional law for one, whoever that 'one' might be

FannyFanackerpan

If a couple of unknown kids in hoodies, armed with a few cans of spray paint, sprayed on street signs in the dead of night, is that art or graffiti? Is this art or is it graffiti?

Actually this is rather arty, although I consider most graffiti to be absolutely hideous. they usually all look the same. Wouldn't it be nice if they used their skills to paint beautiful landscapes, trees, rivers, rolling hills, beaches, seascapes. This would bring the natural world into the city and transform an ugly bare wall into something of beauty.

Or this? Graffiti? Or art?

Fair enough! What about this?

OldFrill

You keep saying 'deface' he hasn't defaced it, he's enhanced it, therefore he has, in my opinion, not committed a crime
Your elitism argument is irrelevant, if he has enhanced and not defaced the sign, as he hasn't broken the law.

You've said 'in your opinion' which is exactly the point. You may think the sign has been enhanced but others see it as being defaced. Opinions are not relevant to matters of law, it's whether the law has been broken or not, and in this case it has.

The OP is about crime in relation to defacing traffic signs. Maybe needs a new thread for walls.

If a couple of unknown kids in hoodies, armed with a few cans of spray paint, sprayed on street signs in the dead of night, is that art or graffiti? Is this art or is it graffiti?

You keep saying 'deface' he hasn't defaced it, he's enhanced it, therefore he has, in my opinion, not committed a crime
Your elitism argument is irrelevant, if he has enhanced and not defaced the sign, as he hasn't broken the law.

OldFrill

The enhancement is due to his cult following. No other street artist has that.

Well I find it very concerning there are people who think, because Banksy has a cult following, that gives him a right to 'deface' a road traffic sign, something they'd condemn if an 'ordinary mortal' did exactly the same. Elitism in matters of law must always be wrong. Two tiered enforcement will always be an abomination.

Some drones were stencilled onto a street sign, within minutes of it being confirmed that Banksy was responsible the sign was stolen. The thieves have been arrested. A new sign has been put up. Not sure if the Banksy sign has been recovered but it is allegedly now worth £500,000.

What’s all this about? I half saw a news item earlier today about a traffic sign, but didn’t listen properly as I was doing something else.

The enhancement is due to his cult following. No other street artist has that.

OldFrill

He hasn't defaced it, he's enhanced it.

So you'd be happy for all traffic signs to be 'enhanced' at the will of any local artist?

He hasn't defaced it, he's enhanced it.