This is London has spies everywhere, especially in front of art galleries at 1:30am:

An onlooker watched in amazement as the millionaire artist pulled up outside the Barakat art gallery opposite Claridge’s hotel at about 1.30am on Friday. Hirst was seen checking if the coast was clear before taking pictures of three sculptures on display in the window.

The onlooker said: “He pulled up outside the gallery and was looking around.

“Suddenly he put on a silly hat and ran up to the gallery window and took a quick photo of the sculptures on display using his BlackBerry. It was all over in 30 seconds.”

The Barakat specialises in classical antiquities and primitive artworks.

Was Damien Hirst seeking inspiration with an early-hours recce of someone else’s art? (This Is London)