There's just no justice

Serial graffiti-sprayer Banksy has left his designs emblazoned in cities across the world and has never been caught.

In the early hours of today, however, the scales of justice finally shifted against him.

A few hours after unveiling a £22,000 statue lampooning the British legal system, his latest work - called Trust No-One - fell victim to thieves. The scales were stolen and taken to Hollywood star Will Smith's I, Robot, film premiere party at nightclub Fabric. Staff discovered them there this morning. The caper began when about 1,000 Banksy fans crowded onto Clerkenwell Green last night to see the 20ft-tall, 3.5-tonne bronze statue unveiled.

It is an amalgam of The Statue of Liberty and the Old Bailey's statue of Justice bearing her golden scales. But Banksy's version has her robes hoiked up to reveal thigh-high PVC boots, a suspender belt stuffed with dollar

Banksy was absent but a statement read on his behalf said: "It is a monument dedicated to thugs, to thieves, to the corrupt, the liars, the arrogant and the stupid. Essentially it is dedicated to the entire British legal system."

A spokesman for the club said: "Fabric staff found the scales this morning. We might issue a ransom note, we might sell them or we might even hand them back."

Banksy's spokesperson said: "They've got to give them back. It doesn't look right without them."