Birmingham stabbing victims knew their attacker

The two Big Issue vendors who were stabbed in Birmingham City Centre on Friday night have now been named by police as Wayne Busst, 32, and Ian Gladwish, 31.

The pair was attacked at around 5.50pm, the rush hour for foot traffic in the city centre, in front of hundreds of passers-by. Police and medical teams were on hand within minutes of the attack taking place, but unfortunately both men lost their lives.

Police have now claimed that they believe the attack was not random and the pair may in fact have known the assailant.

A 23-year-old man, who cannot yet be named for legal reasons, was apprehended shortly after the incident took place and police have been granted additional time to question him before release.

Detective Inspector Buck Rogers has said he does not believe this was a “random” attack and went on to reiterate that “the attacker appears to have known his victims”.

Officer Rogers and the West Midlands Police Department are urging anyone with any information to come forward.

The investigation will persist as the police continue to gather statements and evidence from the scene and witnesses.

John Bird, the founder of the Big Issue magazine, has issued a statement, saying: “We are struggling to make any sense of this utterly senseless attack and our sincerest condolences go out to the families of the victims.”

Ali Kirkby