Southport stabbing: Everything we know so far as three children killed

At around 11.50am yesterday (Monday, July 29) Merseyside Police were called to reports of “multiple stabbings” at a property in Hart Street where a Taylor Swift-themed dance event was taking place.

Yesterday it was announced that two children were killed while nine more were injured, with six in critical condition. Two adults also have critical injuries.

Today it has been confirmed that a third child aged nine has died and the ages of the two girl who died yesterday have been revealed as ages six and seven. 

As it currently stands eight more children with injuries are in hospital with five in critical condition. Two adults are also in hospital still with critical injuries.

A 17-year-old boy from the Bank area of Southport but originally from the Cardiff area has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.

Here is everything we know so far

Where and when did it happen?

Police on Hart Street Southport (Image: James Speakman/PA)

Merseyside Police were called to a property on Hart Street in Southport at around 11.50am on Monday, July 29 after reports of a stabbing.

Police declared a “major incident” at the scene in Southport, after receiving emergency calls with armed response vehicles, 13 ambulances, and the fire service descending on the mass casualty scene, a school holiday club for children aged six to 11.

A large police cordon was put up around the building on Hart Road, with police officers guarding either end.

Officers and vehicles could be seen from a distance inside the cordon, including scenes-of-crime officers in white boiler suits.

Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy, giving a statement to media in Southport yesterday evening, said officers were called to a “ferocious” attack.

She said: “When they arrived, they were shocked to find that multiple people, many of whom were children, had been subjected to a ferocious attack and had suffered serious injuries.

Emergency services near the scene in Hart Street, Southport (Image: James Speakman)

“It is understood the children were attending a Taylor Swift event at a dance school when the offender armed with a knife walked into the premises and started to attack the children inside.”

She added the adults who were injured were “bravely trying” to protect the children who were being attacked.

Who are the victims?

Three children died in the attack and eight further were injured. Five of those are in a critical condition.

Two adults are also in a critical condition.

A person leaves flowers near the scene in Hart Street, Southport, where two children died and nine were injured in a ferocious knife attack during a Taylor Swift event at a dance school (Image: James Speakman)

The ages and names of the dead children, or whether boys or girls, have not been given by police, who said they are not treating the incident as terror-related but the motive “remains unclear”.

What do we know about the attacker?

Merseyside Police confirmed that armed police had “detained a male and seized a knife” following the incident.

The force later said a 17-year-old boy from Banks, a Lancashire village to the north of Southport, who was born in Cardiff, was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.

He will be questioned about the incident, and police said they are working to establish the motive for the attack.

Police confirmed that the incident is not currently being treated as terror-related and said no one else is being sought in connection with it.

What emergency services said

Paramedics at the scene in Southport (Image: James Speakman/PA)

North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) said victims were taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Aintree University Hospital and Southport and Formby hospital.

North West Ambulance Service Cheshire and Merseyside head of service Dave Kitchin told a press conference 11 casualties were treated at what he described as a “devastating scene”.

Alder Hey declared a major incident and asked parents not to bring their children to the emergency department unless it was urgent.

What have the police said

Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said: “It is with great sadness that I am here to advise that two young children have died as a result of injuries sustained in a knife attack this morning.

(left to right) Merseyside Head of Service Dave Kitchin, Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy, MFRS Chief Fire Officer Phil Garrigan and NWAS Cheshire, speaking to the media at Southport Community Fire Centre (Image: James Speakman/PA)

“As a mum of two daughters, and the nanna of a five-year-old granddaughter, I cannot begin to imagine the pain and suffering the families of the victims are currently going through and I want to send them our heartfelt condolences and sympathies.

“Our specialist family liaison officers are providing support to the families at this terrible time.

“I would appeal to anyone who witnessed anything, or who has information that could help our investigation or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

“Anyone who has been affected by this incident, can contact our Victim Care Merseyside service for help and support.

“Our hub of local, trained staff is here to provide free, emotional and practical support tailored to your needs.

“You can contact Victim Care Merseyside for help whether you have reported a crime to the police or not by calling Freephone 0808 175 3080 on weekdays between 8am and 6pm or request support online at any time at www.victimcaremerseyside.org.”