Closing summary
Two children have died following a “frenzied” knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event in Southport today, police confirmed. Speaking at a press conference, chief constable Serena Kennedy said two children were killed in a “ferocious attack”. She added that nine others were injured, including six left in a critical condition.
The motivation behind the knife attack in Southport “remains unclear”, according to police. Merseyside police chief constable Serena Kennedy told a press conference: “The investigation is at its early stages and the motivation for the incident remains unclear. However, Counter-Terrorism Police North-West have offered their support to Merseyside police as the full circumstances of what has happened are being established.
Kennedy said a 17-year-old boy from Banks, Lancashire, had been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder over the “ferocious attack”. She added that he was originally from Cardiff, south Wales.
Merseyside police said the attacker “walked into the premises and started to attack” the children at the dance class event. Kennedy told a press conference this evening that the two adults in critical condition were understood to have sustained injuries while trying to protect the children.
North-West ambulance service Cheshire and Merseyside head of service Dave Kitchin told a press conference the knife attack will leave a “lasting impact on the whole community”. Kitchin also confirmed 11 casualties were treated at what he described as a “devastating scene”.
Police have cordoned off a street with officers stationed outside a house in the village of Banks, about three miles from the stabbing incident. It is not yet clear if the two incidents are linked, PA Media reported. Two police cars are stationed on Old School Close, with more police vehicles and officers behind the cordon.
Colin Parry, the owner of Masters car repair shop, said he had a brief exchange with the man believed to be the attacker minutes before the attack unfolded. He told the Guardian: “He came down our driveway in a taxi and didn’t pay for the taxi, so I confronted him at that point. He was quite aggressive, he said: ‘What are you gonna do about it?’ The customer I was dealing with at the time confronted him as well, and he [the attacker] said the same to him. Then he turned around and walked out of the drive.”
Residents had begun leaving floral tributes at the scene by Monday evening, passing them to police officers who laid them behind the cordon. “I live in Southport,” said Rebecca Armstrong, 50, who said she “felt like I had to” come down to pay her respects. “I just wanted to show that we care about the children, the families … our thoughts are with them.”
Neighbours said they were first alerted to the incident at about 12 noon when they heard a woman in the street, shouting for help. A 10-year-old girl was bleeding, and saying she was struggling to breathe, they said. One neighbour said she was “barely conscious.” “She’s [the daughter] come out saying ‘mum I’ve been stabbed, I’ve been stabbed’,” Debrah Parker, 57, said. “She [the mother] bundled her in the car as fast as she could, she was screaming, ‘help me, help me’, she was covered in blood.”
Alaina Riley, 18, said her aunt saw parents running out of the dance class carrying children covered in blood and attempting to resuscitate them. “She said she watched parents resuscitating them out on the front, the parents had grabbed hold of them. I think it was pick-up time.”
The prime minister has offered his condolences to the victims of the attack and their families and friends, saying “the whole country is deeply shocked”. He said in a statement: “The events today are just truly awful and I know the whole country is deeply shocked at what they have seen and what they have heard. I know I speak for everybody in the whole country in saying our thoughts and condolences are with the victims, their families, their friends and with the wider community. It is impossible to imagine what they are going through right now.”
Merseyside’s police and crime commissioner Emily Spurrell said: “I am utterly shocked and devastated to hear about the truly appalling incident this morning in Southport.” She added: “First and foremost, my heart goes out to the young victims, their families and all who knew and loved them. I cannot even imagine the untold pain and heartache they are facing. My thoughts are also with all those who suffered injuries and who have been affected by this harrowing incident.”
The king has sent his “most heartfelt condolences, prayers and deepest sympathies” to the families and loved ones of the victims of the “utterly horrific” Southport stabbings. In a statement, he said: “My wife and I have been profoundly shocked to hear of the utterly horrific incident in Southport today. We send our most heartfelt condolences, prayers and deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of those who have so tragically lost their lives, and to all those affected by this truly appalling attack.”
The king has sent his “most heartfelt condolences, prayers and deepest sympathies” to the families and loved ones of the victims of the “utterly horrific” Southport stabbings.
In a statement, King Charles said:
My wife and I have been profoundly shocked to hear of the utterly horrific incident in Southport today.
We send our most heartfelt condolences, prayers and deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of those who have so tragically lost their lives, and to all those affected by this truly appalling attack.
Updated
Residents had begun leaving floral tributes at the scene by Monday evening, passing them to police officers who laid them behind the cordon.
“I live in Southport,” said Rebecca Armstrong, 50, who said she “felt like I had to” come down to pay her respects.
“I just wanted to show that we care about the children, the families … our thoughts are with them.”
The community, she said, was “also suffering”, and it was a “desperately sad situation”.
Updated
Merseyside’s police and crime commissioner Emily Spurrell said:
I am utterly shocked and devastated to hear about the truly appalling incident this morning in Southport.
First and foremost, my heart goes out to the young victims, their families and all who knew and loved them. I cannot even imagine the untold pain and heartache they are facing. My thoughts are also with all those who suffered injuries and who have been affected by this harrowing incident.
To hear that innocent, defenceless children have been attacked during a Taylor Swift event at a dance school as they enjoyed the start of the school summer holidays is unthinkable and absolutely abhorrent.
These young people had their whole lives ahead of them and it is hard to find the words to convey our deep sadness.
Our region will be heartbroken that more young lives have been lost at the hands of violence and more have suffered serious injuries, and I share local people’s deep concern and anguish.
Thanks to the efforts of police officers, an arrest was made quickly and there is no wider threat to the public.
More from Keir Starmer this evening. The prime minister said in a statement:
The events today are just truly awful and I know the whole country is deeply shocked at what they have seen and what they have heard.
I know I speak for everybody in the whole country in saying our thoughts and condolences are with the victims, their families, their friends and with the wider community.
It is impossible to imagine what they are going through right now.
Starmer also thanked the emergency services for their response, saying:
They have responded to an awful incident today. I want to thank them for the professionalism they have shown in doing so.
North-West ambulance service Cheshire and Merseyside head of service Dave Kitchin told a press conference the knife attack in Southport will leave a “lasting impact on the whole community”.
Kitchin also confirmed 11 casualties were treated at what he described as a “devastating scene”.
Updated
The motivation behind the knife attack in Southport “remains unclear”, according to police.
Merseyside police chief constable Serena Kennedy told a press conference: “The investigation is at its early stages and the motivation for the incident remains unclear.
“However, Counter-Terrorism Police North-West have offered their support to Merseyside police as the full circumstances of what has happened are being established.
“At this moment in time, the investigation is not being treated as terrorist-related.”
'The whole country is deeply shocked', says Starmer
The prime minister has offered his condolences to the victims of the attack in Southport, and their families and friends, saying “the whole country is deeply shocked”.
Earlier today he tweeted:
Horrendous and deeply shocking news emerging from Southport. My thoughts are with all those affected. I would like to thank the police and emergency services for their swift response. I am being kept updated as the situation develops.
Horrendous and deeply shocking news emerging from Southport. My thoughts are with all those affected.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 29, 2024
I would like to thank the police and emergency services for their swift response.
I am being kept updated as the situation develops.
Merseyside police chief constable Serena Kennedy said a 17-year-old boy from Banks, Lancashire, had been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder over the “ferocious attack”.
She added that he was originally from Cardiff, south Wales.
Merseyside police said the attacker “walked into the premises and started to attack” the children that had attended the dance class event.
Chief constable Serena Kennedy told a press conference this evening that the two adults in critical condition were understood to have sustained injuries while trying to protect the children.
She said:
We believe that the adults who were injured were bravely trying to protect the children who were being attacked.
She added that her “heartfelt condolences” were with the families of those effected and that specialist family liasion officers were supporting them.
Two children killed in Southport stabbing attack, police confirm
Two children have died following a “frenzied” knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event in Southport today, police confirmed.
Speaking at a press conference, chief constable Serena Kennedy said two children were killed in a “ferocious attack”.
She added that nine others were injured, including six left in a critical condition.
In addition two adults are also in critical condition. All injuries were as a result of stab wounds.
Joanne Newman said her elder daughter - who had been taking her younger sister to a friend’s house - heard a “sinister scream” around the same time of the stabbing.
She told BBC News: “She said she heard quite a sinister scream and literally she’d got back from taking my daughter - we don’t know roughly what time it was but it was similar timing, and then all the commotion had gone on, so looking back at the timescales that potentially could have been - but she said it was a very untoward, unusual scream, so we don’t know.”
A woman said she left work immediately to check on her daughters when she heard news of the attack in Southport, adding that parents have been checking in with one another.
Joanne Newman told BBC News:
I got a call from a very, very good friend of mine, I was in work completely oblivious to it and as soon as she told me I literally ran out of work.
I don’t know how I managed to drive back to be fair - my priority was just my girls, my girls, my girls.
I knew my eldest daughter was taking her to a friend’s house and I’m just so thankful to God that they’re safe.
She continued:
Nobody can believe it, all the local mums have checked in with one another - I’m sure we’re all going to know somebody from that awful, that poor group. But the parents I checked in on, my girls and I just ran to the crowd because I just thought, you put your NHS head on don’t you?
The mother that I was just consoling, just the look on her face because she knew something had happened to her child, it’s like ‘oh my gosh’, how do you even comprehend - there’s nothing you can do.
Police have cordoned off a street with officers stationed outside a house in the village of Banks, about three miles from the stabbing incident.
It is not yet clear if the two incidents are linked, PA Media reported.
Two police cars are stationed on Old School Close, with more police vehicles and officers behind the cordon.
Locals said Matrix police, the armed unit of Merseyside Police, descended on the address shortly after the incident in Southport.
Colin Parry, the owner of Masters car repair shop, said he had a brief exchange with the man believed to be the attacker minutes before the attack unfolded.
He told the Guardian: “He came down our driveway in a taxi and didn’t pay for the taxi, so I confronted him at that point. He was quite aggressive, he said: ‘What are you gonna do about it?’
“The customer I was dealing with at the time confronted him as well, and he [the attacker] said the same to him.
“Then he turned around and walked out of the drive.”
Parry said the man was wearing a green hoodie and a Covid mask covering part of his face.
Donna Jones, chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, said:
I am deeply concerned to hear about the major incident in Southport today. My thoughts are with the children and families injured. This incident is one that has shaken the community, not just in Southport but across the UK.
Well done to Merseyside police for apprehending the suspect quickly and confirming he is in police custody. The police have asked the public not to speculate on social media in order to ensure the police investigation can take place as needed.
Police arrest 17-year-old male over Southport stabbing attack
A 17-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the stabbing in Southport today, police have confirmed.
In a statement, Merseyside police said:
We can confirm that a 17-year-old male from Banks, who was arrested in connection to the stabbing in Southport this morning, Monday 29 July, remains in police custody and will be questioned about the incident.
At this early stage, enquiries are ongoing to establish the motive for this tragic incident and we would urge people not to speculate while the investigation is ongoing.
The force said it is not treating the attack as “terror-related”, adding:
We can also confirm that the incident is not currently being treated as terror-related and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.
Any updates will be provided to the public when available.
Right Reverend Dr John Perumbalath, Bishop of Liverpool, said:
Like so many, I am shocked and saddened by the news from Southport. My prayers are, and will remain, with all those affected by this tragedy.
I am deeply grateful for the quick response of all the emergency services and pray for all those called to care for the victims and support those affected by this incident.
I know events such as this are unsettling for the community and I pray for peace, calm and reassurance for all affected.
Neighbours said they were first alerted to the incident at about 12 noon when they heard a woman in the street, shouting for help.
The 10-year-old girl was bleeding, and saying she was struggling to breathe, they said. One neighbour said she was “barely conscious.”
“She’s [the daughter] come out saying ‘mum I’ve been stabbed, I’ve been stabbed’,” Debrah Parker, 57, said.
“She [the mother] bundled her in the car as fast as she could, she was screaming, ‘help me, help me’, she was covered in blood.”
“I heard her shouting ‘my daughter has been stabbed’, begging for help. She was trying to flag down the police,” Michelle Birkby, 36, said.
They said the woman had carried her daughter away from the scene, but another neighbour had got back into the car with the woman, to help her drive her daughter back to where paramedics were inside the cordon.
“She was desperate for help,” Birkby added. Soon after, she said, large numbers of police arrived on scene.
“It seems a bit insane to me, I can’t fathom,” she added. “We’re just all in a bit of shock.”
A resident, who lives in Hart Street but did not want to be named, told PA Media he was at home about midday when a woman pulled up outside in her car, screaming.
He said:
She was screaming ‘my daughter’s been stabbed’. The woman was in hysterics. Then two police cars rushed up the street the other way.
It was a mum with her 10-year-old daughter who had been stabbed. I helped to get her back up to where the police cars and ambulances were.
She didn’t look great but my focus was on getting her back up the street to get help. When I got back up the street there were a couple of kids on the floor being seen to by paramedics and, as I came back, more police cars were going down and more ambulances gradually started to arrive.
North West Air Ambulance Charity was also called to the stabbings in Southport.
In a statement on social media, the charity said: “Earlier today, we received a call to attend an incident in Southport.
“Our crew is working closely with the other agencies involved, including the police and North West Ambulance Service. Our priority is the wellbeing of those involved.
“We ask that people resist speculating about the incident and avoid posting images and videos online.
“We would encourage dashcam or mobile phone footage to be given to the police, as such material could prove vital in any ongoing investigation.”
Children covered in blood carried out from dance class after stabbing, resident says
My colleague Josh Halliday is reporting from Southport. He has spoken to a resident whose aunt lives opposite and saw the incident unfold. She confirmed it was a Taylor Swift-inspired dance workshop and it happened just as parents were arriving to collect them.
Alaina Riley, 18, said her aunt saw parents running out of the dance class carrying children covered in blood and attempting to resuscitate them.
“She said she watched parents resuscitating them out on the front, the parents had grabbed hold of them. I think it was pick up time.”
Riley said: “She said she had never heard screams like it. She was distraught and in an absolute state on the phone to me.”
Emergency service workers including paramedics and firefighters could be seen with their heads in their hands after the initial response to the stabbing.
Updated
Residents told the Liverpool Echo they heard sirens and an air ambulance landing nearby, with neighbours advising each other to lock their windows and doors.
“It was about 12.20pm, I think, and we heard loads of sirens and then there was a helicopter circling above,” one woman said. “Then the messages started to go around the local WhatsApp groups, saying ‘lock your windows, lock your doors’. We were told a man was running around stabbing people.
“We are all absolutely terrified, panicking and sick with worry – everyone is trying to reach anyone they know in the area. I don’t know how this can happen on a Monday lunchtime.”
Flight restrictions affecting drones and helicopters imposed by police in Southport
Flight restrictions affecting drones and helicopters have been imposed in Southport so that emergency services can properly respond to the stabbing incident this morning, Merseyside police has said.
A temporary airspace restriction has been in place since 1.41pm on Monday, meaning it will be an offence for any aircraft to fly below 2,000ft above sea level in a designated area without the permission from the force.
“Drone and aircraft users flying inside the Restricted airspace that have not been granted permission will be guilty of committing an offence and could be prosecuted,” the force said in a statement.
Updated
Here is a map of the area surrounding Hart Street in Southport, north-west England:
Here are some pictures being sent over the newswires from Southport, where the stabbings were reported:
Gavin Stephens, chairman of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, said he had received a call from the chief constable of Merseyside about the stabbings in Southport.
While he did not have detailed information about what has happened, he said: “My thoughts are with everybody involved because it sounds shocking.”
College of policing chief constable, Andy Marsh, said his “thoughts are with everyone affected” in Southport.
“My thoughts this afternoon are with everyone affected by the horrific and deeply distressing incident in Southport,” Marsh wrote on X.
“I’m grateful to the police officers and other emergency services responding.”
Updated
Starmer says reports emerging from Southport are 'horrendous and deeply shocking'
In a post on X, Keir Starmer said the incident in Southport was “horrendous and deeply shocking”.
The prime minister said:
Horrendous and deeply shocking news emerging from Southport. My thoughts are with all those affected. I would like to thank the police and emergency services for their swift response. I am being kept updated as the situation develops.
Horrendous and deeply shocking news emerging from Southport. My thoughts are with all those affected.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 29, 2024
I would like to thank the police and emergency services for their swift response.
I am being kept updated as the situation develops.
What we know so far...
At least eight people, feared to include several children, have been stabbed in Southport, where a man with a knife was arrested.
Armed police arrested a man and seized a knife after being called to the “major incident” at a property on Hart Street, in Southport, north of Liverpool, at about 11.50am on Monday.
The man has been taken to a police station and there was no wider threat to the public, police said.
North West ambulance service said it had so far treated eight patients with stab injuries, who have been taken to Alder Hey children’s hospital, Aintree university hospital and Southport and Formby hospital.
Alder Hey children’s hospital declared a major incident and asked parents not to bring their children to the emergency department unless it was urgent.
The home secretary, Yvette Cooper, has said she is “deeply concerned” over the major incident in Southport.
Updated
Patrick Hurley, MP for Southport, said:
I am deeply concerned by the reports coming from Merseyside police about a major incident on Hart Street in the constituency.
I am hoping for the best possible outcomes to the casualties affected. My thoughts go out to all those affected, their loved ones and to the entire community.
The police have confirmed that an individual involved in the attack has now been detained. I am repeating the advice of the police to avoid the area whilst the police and ambulance teams support this incident.
I am deeply concerned by the reports coming from Merseyside Police about a major incident on Hart Street in Southport today.
— Patrick Hurley (@patrick_hurley) July 29, 2024
I am hoping for the best possible outcomes to the casualties affected. My thoughts go out to all those affected, their loved ones and to the entire… https://t.co/TXCR0og9yI
Updated
Home secretary says she is 'deeply concerned' over 'very serious incident' in Southport
The home secretary, Yvette Cooper, has said she is “deeply concerned” at the “very serious incident” in Southport after at least eight people were stabbed this morning.
In a post on X, Cooper said:
All my thoughts are with the families & loved ones of those affected. I have spoken to the Merseyside police & Crime Commissioner to convey full support to the police & thanks to the emergency services responding.
I am deeply concerned at the very serious incident in Southport. All my thoughts are with the families & loved ones of those affected.
— Yvette Cooper (@YvetteCooperMP) July 29, 2024
I have spoken to the Merseyside Police & Crime Commissioner to convey full support to the police & thanks to the emergency services responding.
Updated
Children's hospital declares 'major incident' after Southport stabbings
Alder Hey children’s hospital in Liverpool says it has declared a major incident and asked parents to only bring their children to the emergency department if it is absolutely necessary.
In a statement on its website, the hospital said:
We can confirm that the Trust has declared a major incident.
The Trust is working with other emergency services to respond to this incident and our emergency department is currently extremely busy.
We ask parents to only bring their children to the emergency department if it is urgent. All other appointments and services are running as normal.
The North West ambulance service said earlier paramedics have treated eight patients with stab injuries.
The victims have been taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Aintree university hospital and Southport and Formby hospital. Police have not yet confirmed the ages or identities of the victims.
Updated
A staff member from Yates Motor Engineers on Hart Street told the Liverpool Echo:
I’ve heard helicopters overhead, it’s further down the road from us. There must be at least 20 police vehicles here – I heard the air ambulance overhead – it landed on the field by Scarisbrick New Road.
One man, who was helping to direct traffic next to the scene, told the Echo’s Ben Roberts-Haslam:
I saw a man from the ARV [armed response vehicle] come out the cordon and he was white as a sheet. He just shook his head and I thought he was going to cry.
One man, who has been helping to direct traffic next to the scene, told the Echo: “I saw a man from the ARV come out the cordon and he was white as a sheet. He just shook his head and I thought he was going to cry.” pic.twitter.com/Usj0rPh6h0
— Ben Roberts-Haslam (@benhaslm) July 29, 2024
Updated
Stabbing in Southport was like a 'scene in a horror movie', local business owner says
Some journalists from the Press Association have been speaking to local people in Hart Street, Southport, where police were called to a property earlier after reports of a stabbing just before midday.
A local business owner, who was one of the people who called the police, said the incident was like a “scene in a horror movie”.
Colin Parry, owner of Masters Vehicle Body Repairs on Hart Street, told the PA news agency:
It is like a scene from a horror movie. Police have got him. It is like something from America, not like sunny Southport.
Updated
Merseyside police commissioner Emily Spurrell has confirmed that a man has been arrested after reports of a stabbing in Southport this morning.
In a post on X, she said:
An arrest has been made and there is no wider risk to the public. I would urge people to be careful about what they share online and not to speculate about this incident. Official updates will follow shortly.
Like everyone, I am deeply shocked and concerned about the major incident in #Southport this morning.
— Merseyside's Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell (@MerseysidePCC) July 29, 2024
An arrest has been made and there is no wider risk to the public.
I would urge people to be careful about what they share online and not to speculate about this incident.… https://t.co/2I5DSy8e3U
Eight victims treated for stab injuries, ambulance service says
Eight patients have been treated for “stab injuries” after the incident in Southport, North West ambulance service (NWAS) said.
In a post on X, NWAS said: “We have dispatched 13 ambulances along with specialised resources of our hazardous area response team (HART), air ambulance and merit doctors to the scene.
“So far, NWAS has treated eight patients with stab injuries who have been taken to Alder Hey children’s hospital, Aintree university hospital and Southport and Formby hospital.”
Updated
North West ambulance service (NWAS) said its paramedics were responding to reports of “multiple stabbings” in Southport.
An NWAS statement on social media said: “We’re attending a major incident on Hart Street, Southport after reports of multiple stabbings in which we have dispatched multiple resources.
“We’re assessing the situation and working with emergency partners.
“Please follow our channels and MerseyPolice for further updates.”
Updated
Armed police have detained a man and seized a knife after number of people were injured in a reported stabbing in Southport.
Emergency services were called to the “major incident” at a property on Hart Street in the town in north-west England at about 11.50am on Monday, PA reports.
Merseyside police said it had received reports of a stabbing.
The force went on: “There are a number of reported casualties and more details will be confirmed when possible. Armed police have detained a male and seized a knife. He has been taken to a police station. Please avoid the area while we deal with this incident. There is no wider threat to the public.”
