Brilliant artworks hidden in a set of Cardiff bollards have been stolen. Black and white characters have been visible through the peepholes of metal posts in the city centre since 2010 — but only eight of the 11 bollards remain in place.
The posts, which cost £30,000 to be installed in the Hayes, are often cited among Cardiff's best public art. Two of the pieces have been stolen while another has been vandalised — and although Cardiff Council says a spare can be swapped in for one missing bollard and the vandalised one is being refurbished, there is also one that will not be replaced.
Local tour guide Tony Lloyd, who runs the 'Difflomats' Facebook page, said he warned Cardiff Council in January that screws were missing in one of the bollards and he feared it would be stolen. Seven weeks later he was showing European tourists around the area when he saw the top of the post — the part containing the artwork — had been taken. It turned out the council had temporarily removed the piece to prevent further vandalism or theft.
