Human remains found in two suitcases on Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol are thought to be those of two adult men, police have said.

The victims have not yet been formally identified. One post-mortem was “inconclusive” and the second is ongoing, the Metropolitan Police said.

Scotland Yard has now taken over the investigation, including the manhunt to find a suspect, Acting Bristol Commander Vicks Hayward-Melen said.

Earlier on the day the remains were found, it is thought the wanted man travelled to Bristol from London, the Met said.

A crime scene is in place at a location in Shepherd’s Bush in west London.

Avon and Somerset Police, who have not identified the suspect, released a photograph of him.

He was described as black with a beard, wearing a black Adidas baseball cap, black jeans, a black jacket and black trainers with thick white soles. He also had a black backpack and was wearing a gold earring.

If anyone sees him, they are advised to call 999 immediately.

There is “no information to suggest” he remains in the Avon and Somerset area, officers said.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Valentine, who is leading the investigation for the Met, said: “Over the last 48 hours we have been working extremely closely with colleagues from Avon and Somerset. This work leads us to believe the man we need to speak to travelled to Bristol from London earlier on Wednesday evening (10 July).”

Police said on Thursday the suspect had set off in the direction of Leigh Woods after abandoning the suitcases.

Officers received reports just before midnight on Wednesday evening of a man with a suitcase acting suspiciously on the bridge.

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Police arrived at the scene within 10 minutes – but the man had vanished, leaving a suitcase behind. A second suitcase was found nearby a short time later.

Both were found to contain human remains.

It is believed the wanted man took a taxi to the “where the suitcases were unloaded”, Ms Hayward-Melen said.

The driver is helping with the police investigation.

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Ms Hayward-Melen added: “We’re very grateful to the public for the way they’ve responded to our appeals for information.

“We’ve had more than 160 messages through our major incident room phone number and our online portal.”

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