Two men killed in Birmingham city centre stabbing

Two men were stabbed to death in a busy shopping area of Birmingham city centre just before 6pm last night.

The victims, both believed to be in their forties, were found one street away from each other. West Midlands Police said one victim was believed to have been stabbed outside a Sainsbury’s store on Martineau Place, while the second man was found slumped near Boots in Union Street.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said the men had been attended to by paramedics, but both had suffered fatal stab wounds and were pronounced dead at the scene.

Inspector David Keen said: “Two men have suffered fatal injuries – these have been inflicted in the heart of the city at a busy time when workers and shoppers would be heading home.” He added: “There are potentially hundreds of witnesses, either people who saw the stabbings or the offender leaving the scene, and I’d urge people to get in touch immediately – they could have vital information.”

An area of Union Street was cordoned off last night while officers carried out forensic investigations.

A suspect was in police custody last night after being arrested in New Street shortly after the stabbings.