Remains of two men found in suitcases – MASHAHER

The remains of two men were inside suitcases dumped at Clifton Suspension Bridge, according to police who have opened a separate crime scene in London.

The Metropolitan Police is now leading the investigation, with a cordon in place in a residential area of Shepherd’s Bush. A private ambulance arrived at the scene at 18:30 BST.

Officers were called to the bridge in Bristol late on Wednesday night, where the suitcases were discovered. The bridge remains closed.

Police said a man wanted in connection with the deaths should not be approached. They believe he has travelled from Bristol to London.

Police investigating the deaths said an arrest was made of a 36-year-old man at a property in Greenwich, south-east London, earlier on Friday. However, the Met said he was not the suspect whose photograph has been released.

On Friday afternoon, police officers and forensic investigators were seen entering a property on the corner of Scotts Road and Devonport Road.

It is unclear if the property being searched was connected to the man police are searching for, or the victims found in the suitcases.

One forensic post-mortem examination is ongoing and another was inconclusive, Scotland Yard said.

A police cordon is in place and helicopters have been spotted overhead.

The discovery of human remains has “caused shock and deep concern across our communities”, Avon and Somerset Police’s acting Bristol commander, Vicks Hayward-Melen, said at a press conference on Friday.

She added that “significant progress” had been made by the force over the past 36 hours, helped by more than 160 messages from members of the public offering information.

Although the investigation is being led by a different force, Avon and Somerset police officers will be carrying out increased patrols in Clifton and Leigh Woods.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Valentine, from the Met Police, said: “We are drawing on resources from across the Met to find and apprehend the suspect and I would urge anyone who believes they see him, or who knows of his whereabouts, to call 999 straight away.

“Do not approach him.”

The man wanted in connection with the deaths travelled to Clifton from London on Wednesday, before taking a taxi to the suspension bridge where the suitcases were discarded, according to police.

The taxi driver’s vehicle has been seized by police and the driver is helping officers.

The suspect is described by police as black with a beard and wearing a gold earring.

Officers said he was wearing a black Adidas baseball cap, black jeans, a black jacket, black trainers with thick white soles and had a black backpack.

The force added he had left the bridge in the direction of Leigh Woods by the time officers arrived at the scene.

Joe Eastlake, who lives near the bridge, told the BBC: “The fact that this man that they’ve identified is still at large. I would’ve thought somebody could identify him quite easily.”

Local resident Sheetal said: “It’s not something that you hear about – it’s more like a movie.

“I feel a bit scared. I think no matter what area you live in, you always have to be aware of your surroundings.”

Kika Hedgecock works at Belle de Jour Florist in Clifton.

She has always felt safe in the area, but said the incident had left her feeling “shaken”.

“I still have goosebumps – I can’t imagine somebody who could do that.

“There’s no human compass in the person who has committed this crime,” she added.

There is an increased police presence in the area for “visible reassurance”, but officers said they were unaware of any current risk to the wider public.

Anybody who sees the man wanted in connection with the deaths has been urged not to approach him.