Officers attended Ilminster Avenue, in Knowle West, at around 11.20pm on Saturday, 27th January where two boys, aged 15 and 16, had been attacked by a number of people who made off from the scene in a car.

Police arrived at the scene within minutes of the first call and did what they could to provide first aid.

The victims sustained stab wounds and were taken to two hospitals – Southmead Hospital and Bristol Royal Hospital for Children – by ambulance, where they sadly died in the early hours of this morning (Sunday, 28th January).

An investigation into the incident is being led by our Major Crime Investigation Team. Two arrests have already been made – a 44-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy. They remain in police custody.

A vehicle has also been seized.

Formal identification of the victims has not yet taken place and a forensic post-mortem will be carried out in due course.

Bristol Commander Supt Mark Runacres said: “This is an incredibly shocking and tragic incident where two young boys, who had their whole lives ahead of them, have sadly died.

“Our collective thoughts are with their families at what is undoubtedly a very difficult time. Specialist family liaison officers will now be assigned to the families to provide them with support and keep them updated on the investigation.

“A cordon is in place on Ilminster Avenue between Newquay Road and Tavistock Road, and members of the public can expect to see a large police presence as forensic searches and other enquiries are conducted.

“There are a significant number of properties within the cordon and we would like to apologise for the disruption caused, but we hope people understand the importance of the work being carried out.

“House-to-house enquiries are underway and CCTV and doorbell footage continues to be gathered.

“We have also identified several witnesses who we will be taking statements from. Detectives are particularly keen to speak with passengers on a bus which was on Ilminster Avenue at the time of the incident.

“The neighbourhood policing team will be setting up a mobile police station near the scene. We encourage anyone with any concerns or questions to speak to any of the officers. High-visibility patrols will also be carried out to provide reassurance to the community.”

He added: “It is extremely important there should be no commentary or sharing of information or images online which could in any way prejudice any future proceedings.

“It can be an offence to identify anyone who witnessed all or part of the incident as well as those who have been arrested.

“I’d also like to remind people of the impact the sharing of images, footage or even discussing the incident online may have on the families of the two boys. They are already going through the most difficult of times and you may cause them further upset.”

Tragedies such as this are a stark reminder of the awful consequences of knife crime.

Reducing knife crime is one of our key priorities as a police service, it’s something we work all year round tackling. For more information, please visit our website.

If you can help, please call 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5224023382, or complete our online appeals form.

You can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100 per cent anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their Anonymous Online Form.

No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded and you will not go to court or have to speak to police when contacting Crimestoppers.