On 9 June 2020, a bust of a ‘black head’ in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, is removed from a pub gantry sign in the town centre by local residents without the council’s permission as part of a plan to ‘save’ the object. The object is recovered three days later by the council who later launches a public consultation with residents about its future.

On 11 June 2020, a sundial featuring a kneeling ‘African man’ is temporarily removed from public display on the grounds of the National Trust property Dunham Massey by on-site workers. As of late 2024, the object has not returned to public view while the National Trust continues to reassess its display.