A dark figure captured on CCTV lurking in the shadows before a Banksy Christmas mural was unveiled has sparked speculation it is the elusive artist.
The footage shows an area in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter cordoned off with orange cones, while a man can be seen moving into the middle of the road.
The clip was taken on a nearby shop's CCTV shortly before 7.30am on Friday, December 6.
Yesterday, the artist confirmed on Instagram the reindeer artwork that appeared on a railway bridge on Vyse Street was his work.
The piece was reportedly vandalised just hours after the unveiling - with big red noses.
A jewellery store owner who caught the footage of the dark figure on their camera said they were delighted that the artist had chosen to install his latest work in the Jewellery Quarter.
The store owner said: "It's good. I have heard of him but didn't know too much about him until now.
"The area has been a bit quiet recently. Because he's famous hopefully it will bring people to the area and they'll come in more.
"It's great to have it on our doorstep and we're really pleased that Banksy came here."
The artwork depicts a poignant message about homelessness this Christmas.
A video the fabled artist posted on his Instagram page tells an emotional story of a homeless man called Ryan.
As Birmingham Live reports, Ryan has a drink in the footage and settles down on the bench by the wall.
The camera pans outwards and show a pair reindeers appearing to spirit him away into the star-filled sky.
It is believed Banksy disguised himself as a workman to complete the installation.
Martin Clarke, a jeweller at nearby Vault 88, said: "I saw a small tent with a couple lads in high-vis vests early in the morning on Friday. I thought they were from the council and were just doing a bit of upkeep.
"About half six I looked out the window and the tent had gone as had the lads. Then I saw it.
"I thought it was great. We weren't sure what it was at first or who did it but we had a good idea."
A message on the artist’s Instagram 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. #Banksy."
Other business owners and Twitter users shared their joy.
Phil Simpkin, manager of the Stone Room, said: "It's fantastic for the area and a big boost. Hopefully more people will come to the Jewellery Quarter to see the mural."
Stand Agency tweeted: “Drawing attention to homelessness this #Christmas in Birmingham in his trademark hard-hitting fashion.
"It’s also heart-warming to hear about the kindness and generosity of people walking past as this was being filmed."
Another account said: "God Bless #Birmingham #Banksy highlights #homelessness."
However shortly after it was unveiled, the work was 'defaced by a vandal' who reportedly shouted out "shall I tag it?" and added red noses to the reindeer.
Darren Hawkins, from The Unseen Scene Magazine, told BirminghamLive how he was the last person to be pictured on the bench before it was spray painted.
The incident happened at around 5pm as Darren said people 'begged the man not to do it'.
He said: "This guy was there with a tin of red spray paint in his hand. He kept asking saying 'shall I tag it?'
"People were saying 'no don't do it.' He then went up to the mural and sprayed both of the reindeer noses red to turn them into Rudolf.
"It was gutting to see him do it. He then ran off. He was quite a scruffy guy, aged between 25 and 30 and had a hood up. Police arrived shortly after.
"A woman from Jewellery Quarter Bid was trying to remove the sprayed graffiti."
A spokeswoman for West Midlands Police said they weren't aware of the vandal attack but officers had been sent to the scene.
She said: "There has been a large number of people gathering on Vyse Street so officers have been sent to the scene to carry out crowd control."
Banksy is an anonymous England-based street artist, vandal, political activist, and film director, active since the 1990s.
