It is hard to understand the logic behind the attack on Banksy's Mild Mild West artwork in Stokes Croft.

Bristol Post reported that red paint has been spattered angrily across the 10-year-old mural – which shows a Teddy bear throwing a Molotov cocktail at police – by a group calling itself Appropriate Media.

How such an act of wanton vandalism can represent an organisation which calls for the "appropriate and legitimate use of public and private property" is a mystery.

Conversely, it is also ironic that there is such local outrage at the defacing of what is essentially graffiti – and that one will be cleaned off to ensure the other survives.

But outrage there is. And while the 'People's Republic of Stokes Croft' has never been known for its conformity, it is easy to feel sympathy for the local people who have come to love Banksy's work and to feel proud that their area is home to it.

If nothing else, the act reminds us that Banksy continues to divide opinion in Bristol.

It is easy to portray him as a city hero – but that would ignore the numerous Bristolians who do not agree with the promotion of his graffiti into art.

And what would Banksy think of the vandalism? Unfortunately, he almost certainly wouldn't care less – which is as damning a fact about him as any other.