VIDEO: How Brummies are reacting to the Banksy art that’s appeared in their city

World famous graffiti artist Banksy has unveiled a new mural in Birmingham, which focuses on homelessness in the city.

Painted onto a brick wall on Vyse Street in the city’s Jewellery Quarter, next to a bin, the piece of art sees two reindeer seemingly pulling a bench as a sleigh. In a video posted onto the Bristol artist’s Instagram, the bench is occupied by a homeless man and his belongings.

WATCH: What Brummies think of the Banksy homelessness street art:

Brummies and visitors to the city have been flocking to the Jewellery Quarter to see the street art and take photos with it.

Since learning it’s been created by Banksy, the local BID (Business Improvement District) has placed barriers around the installation to ensure crowd control and safety. Police officers have also been on the scene to ensure the extra interest didn’t cause any traffic issues.

Local resident Ste Welsh posed for photos with the Banksy artwork. He told I Am Birmingham:

“The importance of the message to me is the Jewellery Quarter is vibrant, up and coming and i’m glad something like this has arrived in the Jewellery quarter, i live here, 200 meters up the road, so yeah, it’s nice.

“It [seems] typical of Banksy… at this time of the year, with the homeless crisis, I think it speaks for itself.”

Rekha, was proud to have the mural in her city. She said:

“I’ve come over to see this piece, I think it’s really important as it raises awareness for homeless people.

“I think it’s gonna draw a lot of attention and put Birmingham on the map, especially the Jewellery Quarter so that’s always good!”

Local Nathan was ecstatic to discover the artwork was nearby to him, and rushed to see it. He told us:

“For ages I always wanted  him to come to Birmingham and do something, for me to at least catch it as well, I only just seen it. Jewellery Quarter, Vyse Street, I know exactly where that is so I jumped on the bike quickly and came down here before anyone tries to do anything to it or tries to take it down. You know, how these don’t stay up here too long.

“This time of year everyone forgets the homeless and people outside. This brings the community together and makes everybody realise don’t just think about the presents but think about the people that ain’t getting anything.

“The people that are out here stuck, in the cold weather. Same how there was somebody lying on the chair at the time when they put the video up. Same, same thing.”

Watch: The video of the artist’s latest mural below:

Additional reporting and video interviews by Paul Stringer.