A controversial faceless baby Jesus figure has been stolen from a Christmas nativity scene in Belgium.
The figure, which has received widespread criticism online, was taken from its crib on Grand Place in Brussels.
Faces on the nativity figures were covered with patchwork fabrick, instead of having eyes, mouths and noses.
Artist Victoria-Maria Geyer told The Brussels Times the figures were made "deliberately without features so anyone can see themselves in them," and to reflect the country's textile heritage.
The figures have been likened to "zombies" and "in no way represent the spirit of Christmas" by the president of Belgium's centre-right party, Georges-Louis Bouchez.
Authorities investigating the theft believe it was taken sometime between Friday night and Saturday morning.
The new arrangement had been supported by the City of Brussels and the dean of St Michael and St Gudula, replacing a previous scene that had been in place for 25 years.
It is not the first time Brussels’ nativity has been vandalised. The infant Jesus was taken in 2017 and never found, with the scene broken overnight in 2015.
The figure is in the process of being replaced, according to The Brussels Times. The newspaper also reports that security has been increased around the scene.