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Birmingham Big Issue stabbings: More time to quiz man Birmingham stabbings: Attacker 'knew Big Issue victims'
(35 minutes later)
Police have been granted more time to question a man over the deaths of two Big Issue sellers stabbed to death in front of shoppers in Birmingham. Two Big Issue sellers who were stabbed to death in front of shoppers in Birmingham were probably known to their attacker, police have said.
The two vendors, in their 30s, were stabbed in Union Street in the city centre at about 17:50 GMT on Friday and died at the scene. Wayne Busst, 32, and Ian Gladwish, 31, both from Birmingham, were stabbed in Union Street at about 17:50 GMT on Friday.
A 23-year-old man was arrested minutes later in New Street. Police said they had so far received a "fantastic response" from the public.
West Midlands Police said officers now have until 21:00 GMT to either charge or release him. Earlier officers were granted more time to question a 23-year-old man who was arrested minutes after the stabbings.
West Midlands Police now has until 21:00 GMT to either charge or release the man, who was arrested near to the Odeon cinema in New Street.
'Utterly senseless'
The force said hundreds of people may have witnessed the stabbings, which happened during rush hour in one of the city's busiest areas.The force said hundreds of people may have witnessed the stabbings, which happened during rush hour in one of the city's busiest areas.
The first man was stabbed outside Sainsbury's and the second was found slumped outside Boots side entrance. Det Insp Buck Rogers, who is leading the investigation into the deaths, said early enquiries suggested they had not been "random" attacks.
He added: "The attacker appears to have known his victims."
He urged anyone else with information to contact police.
Big Issue founder and editor-in-chief John Bird has paid tribute to the two vendors and said everyone at the magazine was "absolutely devastated".
He said: "We are struggling to make any sense of this utterly senseless attack and our sincerest condolences go out to the families of the victims."