Banksy mural highlights refugee crisis

The mural depicts the young girl from the musical Les Miserables with tears streaming from her eyes as a can of CS gas lies beneath her.

The artwork includes an interactive QR code which, when scanned, links to a video of teargas and rubber bullets used in a police raid on January 5.

It is the latest in a number of artworks painted by the elusive graffiti artist criticising Europe’s handling of the refugees crisis.

It appears that someone may have tried to tear the mural from the wall where it has been painted in Knightsbridge as the corners of the wood are ripped.

Fans of the artist have been visiting the mural and taking photos of it.

Among them was Julie Moore, 29, a consultant living in London, who said: “The work is incredible. I think the most powerful thing for me is I’m a lover of musicals and to use such such a powerful image of France is just beautiful.”

The mural has been sprayed on to the corner of a large complex in Knightsbridge which is being turned into luxury flats and shops.

Ged Glaude, 43, one of the builders at the site, said: “I’ve just arrived at work and saw the press here.

“It is not very often you come to work and see a Banksy.”

Builders working at the site at one point discussed removing the mural, but now the plan appears to be to cover it up with another piece of wood.

Banksy has previously painted an artwork in “The Jungle” refugee camp depicting Apple founder Steve Jobs carrying an early Apple computer and his belongings in a sack.

Builders made an attempt to remove the artwork by taking a crowbar to the piece of wood it is drawn on.

However, they soon abandoned the attempt fearing they would harm it.