Big Issue founder John Bird has paid tribute to two Big Issue vendors who were fatally stabbed in Birmingham last Friday. They were Wayne Lee Busst (pictured left), 32 and Ian Watson-Gladwish, 31.

Bird said everyone at the Big Issue magazine was “truly devastated” by the tragedy. “We are trying to make any sense of this utterly senseless attack and our sincerest condolences go out to the families of the victims.”

A Big Issue spokesman said both men were well-known and well-liked by Big Issue staff, fellow vendors and locals in the community where they worked.

Hundreds of people have left messages of condolence and sympathy on the Big Issue’s Facebook page.

Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call police on 101.