WATCH: Anger as Banksy artwork is removed from Lowestoft

Having attracted countless visitors to Lowestoft, the world-famous graffiti artist's seagull installation in the town was removed late on Tuesday evening.

With the artwork on the side of a privately-owned block of flats on Katwijk Way in Lowestoft created in August 2021, it delighted crowds as it showcased a seagull swooping down to steal some polystyrene chips that were placed in a skip below.

The artwork on the building at the corner of Denmark Road and Katwijk Way - which is in private ownership - was created as part of Banksy's Great British Spraycation.

Locations including Lowestoft, Great Yarmouth and Cromer featured in the Spraycation, which provided a huge boost as the coastal resorts bounced back from coronavirus disruption and welcomed holidaymakers from around the UK.

Work to remove the Banksy seagull mural took place at night. Picture: Oliv3r Drone Photography (Image: Oliv3r Drone Photography)

However, on Tuesday evening, the mural was removed in a late night operation - as it was lifted from the side of the building by a crane and taken away on "an enormous low loader lorry."

The crane at the scene. Picture: Lowestoft Central Project (Image: Lowestoft Central Project)

With a temporary road closure in place, police and security officers were at the scene as a small crowd gathered.

Police, security officers and a small crowd at the scene. Picture: Lowestoft Central Project (Image: Lowestoft Central Project)

It is unknown where the Seagull artwork will now end up.

As the building is in private ownership, and East Suffolk Council has no control over the artwork's destiny, a council spokesman said: "While we are naturally disappointed by the reported removal of the Banksy seagull from the side of a building in Lowestoft, it is ultimately the right of the owner to make decisions about their own property, and we acknowledge that Banksy works, by their nature, may not always be permanent features.

Work to remove the Banksy seagull mural took place at night. Picture: Oliv3r Drone Photography (Image: Oliv3r Drone Photography)

"We remain grateful for the attention that Banksy has brought to Lowestoft – a town with a burgeoning arts and cultural scene that will continue to go from strength to strength."

Concerns from locals had been first raised in October last year as onlookers said the property - not far away from the town centre - was being emptied.

Works - including chiselling at the wall - got under way in December, with the yellow skip removed from the side of the building earlier this year amid concerns it was being used for flytipping.

Previously, a number of the yellow insulation boards - that were used to represent chips for the artwork - had been removed from the skip in January 2022 by "an unknown third party."

Concerns over its removal were heightened in recent weeks after the artwork, which was covered with a protective screen, was hidden behind boards and scaffolding - sparking fears it would be taken down.

And now the second of four Banksy artworks has been removed from a building in the town.

It follows the crowbar girl mural - that was on the side of the former Lowestoft Electrical shop in London Road North - which was cut from the wall in November 2021.

A view inside the scaffolding shows the hole in the wall now the mural has been removed. Picture: Lowestoft Central Project (Image: Lowestoft Central Project)

With the Banksy seagull having "taken flight to its new nest", an onlooker said there was "a considerable police and security presence."

Admitting it was "sad to see it go", the onlooker said there had been "a flurry of activity" at the site yesterday, with the removal completed around 11.15pm.

Workmen at the scene removing the mural. Picture: Lowestoft Central Project (Image: Lowestoft Central Project)

With "additional security and construction teams" a crane was parked across the pedestrian crossing with the grassed area full of vans.

The onlooker said: "Over the past few weeks work has been ongoing to remove the chimney stack and sections of the gable end wall.

"There was one protester shouting that it was 'being stolen from the town.'

Workmen at the scene as the Banksy mural is removed in Lowestoft. Picture: Lowestoft Central Project (Image: Lowestoft Central Project)

"The mural had been clad into a wooden - possibly fibreglass - frame and lifted out by crane last night.

"An enormous low loader lorry took the artwork away."

Drone photographer Oliver Bolton - Oliv3r Drone Photography - captured these stunning images and video footage, with the lift taking place around 10pm.

Work to remove the Banksy seagull mural takes place at night. Picture: Oliv3r Drone Photography (Image: Oliv3r Drone Photography)

He said: "It's a real shame for the town to lose another Banksy, but I'm glad we had time to enjoy it before it was taken away."