Banksy artwork in Birmingham preserved following vandalism

The piece, which appeared in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter over the weekend, was vandalised yesterday within hours of its Instagram unveiling.

The artwork shows two reindeer painted next to a bench in a bid to highlight the homelessness problem across Britain.

In a video posted on Banksy's Instagram account, a homeless man identified as Ryan is seen lying on the bench surrounded by his possessions.

The vandal added red noses to the reindeer painted on a wall on Vyse Street after jumping barriers installed to protect the artwork.

Read more: Banksy installs new art piece in Birmingham highlighting homelessness

He reportedly asked onlookers 'shall I tag it?' before ignoring the crowds pleas not to.

Since the attack, Jewellery Quarter Business Improvement District (BID) has employed 24 hour security overnight to protect the art from further vandalism.

The festive artwork has now been cleaned, showing one red nose instead of two, and Network Rail today took the unusual step of protecting a piece of graffiti on its property.

Local maintenance engineer Chris Edwards drilled Perspex sheeting into the wall to protect the image.

The iconic artwork comes a few weeks before Network Rail and the Midland Langar Seva Society host their annual Christmas Eve meal, at Birmingham New Street station, for local homeless people.

David Golding, interim route managing director for Network Rail's Central route, said: “As a railway family our hearts go out to the homeless, especially at this time of year.

"Banksy’s wall art has captured their plight so well. It’s right we protect it so everyone can see it.”

"We discourage any graffiti and we spend a lot of time removing it from around the network … but it’s not every day we get a bona fide Banksy.”

Jewellery Quarter BID communications and marketing manager, Steve Lovell, said: "When we learned a Banksy had appeared, we were obviously delighted.

"It is truly an incredible and thought-provoking piece, which highlighted a genuine crisis in our city.

"But we were astounded to hear it had been defaced so soon after appearing - it was only a matter of hours.

"A young guy just jumped over the barriers and sprayed two noses on it, which is inaccurate to start with as only Rudolph has a red nose.

"He was asking the crowds whether he should do it and people were begging him saying, 'Please don't do it, please don't do it'.

"We were shocked and disgusted and one of our executives tried to clean it off, but to no avail.

"She stayed there until quite late into the evening before he could get security to watch it overnight. They were still there this morning when I arrived for work.

"We are now considering how to protect it as there was even talk of thieves coming and stealing it brick by brick. It's a railway bridge so that would be extremely dangerous.

"But Banksy has himself admitted his work gets defaced, it is street art at the end of the day. However, we still want to preserve it.

"There is so much footfall past the painting so we want to protect it the best we can because we are honoured to have a Banksy here in the city."

Unveiling the work, Banksy praised the generosity of people in the city who gave Ryan food and drink while they filmed.

The post from the Bristol-based artist said: "God bless Birmingham. In the 20 minutes we filmed Ryan on this bench passers-by gave him a hot drink, two chocolate bars and a lighter - without him ever asking for anything."

Speaking about the appearance of the piece, local jewellery wax carver Martin Clarke, 52, said: "About five o'clock in the morning there was a small tent with a couple of lads in high vis.

"(I) just thought it was to do with the upkeep of the jewellery quarter, and it turned out to be a lot more."

Luke Crane, executive director of the Jewellery Quarter BID), commented: “This piece of art is an early Christmas gift. Not just for the Jewellery Quarter, but for the city of Birmingham.

"And this gift brings with it a very strong message - a timely reminder that we are facing a nationwide homelessness crisis and we must not forget those in need, especially over the Christmas period.”

“We have an opportunity here to put Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter firmly on the map, as the leading light in ending the homelessness crisis that is blighting our inner cities."

People took to Twitter to condemn the vandalism.

"Someone really spoilt Birmingham’s opportunity of having a #Banksys Banksy always brings supporters who travel across the country to see the #ArtWork," one user posted.

Another added: "As if Banksy actually came & left an interesting piece in Birmingham and we vandalized it within 48 hours. We don’t deserve nice s***."