TWO children have died and nine others were injured, six of them critically, in a “horrific” knife attack at a children’s dance workshop. Two adults are also in a critical condition after being stabbed while trying to protect children at a Taylor Swift-themed event in Hart Street, Southport, Merseyside Police said.
A 17-year-old from Banks, Lancashire, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. Police said the motive for the attack was “unclear” and was not thought to be terrorism-related.
Witnesses described the scene as “horrific” and said they had “never seen anything like it”. The king and prime minister led tributes to the victims, offering “heartfelt condolences” to those affected.
Merseyside Police declared a major incident after receiving an emergency call at 11.47am BST, during the first week of the summer school holidays for many children across the UK. Armed response vehicles, 13 ambulances and the fire service rushed to the dance class, which was being held for children aged six to ten.
Police Chief Serena Kennedy said at a news conference that officers responding to the call were “shocked” to find that multiple people, including children, had been “horrificly attacked” and suffered serious injuries.
“It is understood the children were attending a Taylor Swift performance at a dance school when the knife-wielding offender entered the premises and began attacking the children,” he said.
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“We believe that the injured adults were bravely trying to protect children who were being attacked.”
She added: “As the mother of two daughters and grandmother of a five-year-old granddaughter, I cannot imagine the pain and suffering the victim’s family is currently experiencing and I want to send our heartfelt condolences and sympathy.”
Kennedy said the 17-year-old suspect, who police said was born in Cardiff, would now be questioned by detectives. Merseyside Police said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the attack and that “the motive for this incident remains unclear”.
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Kennedy added North West Counter Terrorism Policing had offered support to Merseyside Police but the incident was not currently being treated as terrorism-related.
Eye on Southport journalist Tim Johnson said the attack took place at the Hope of Hart kids’ club, which is in a former warehouse on a back street. “It was horrific. I’ve never seen anything like it,” Mr Johnson said. “There were so many police cars, it was like a sea of blue lights. I saw ambulance officers crying. People were crying in the street.”
Alder Hey Children’s Hospital declared a “major incident”, while the North West Ambulance Service said it had sent 13 ambulances to the scene.
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Dave Kitchin, head of operations for the ambulance service, said they treated 11 casualties at the scene, who were then sent by emergency ambulance and medical helicopter to Alder Hey Hospital and Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Aintree University Hospital, Southport and Formby General Hospital and Ormskirk General Hospital.
He described the scenes paramedics encountered as “devastating”, adding: “There is no doubt this incident will have a long-lasting impact on the whole community, and our thoughts are very much with them at this difficult time.”
The Great North Air Ambulance Service confirmed their critical care team were also sent to the scene. A spokesman added: “We provided advanced emergency care to one patient before transporting him to hospital by road.”
A business owner who called police said the attack was like “a scene from a horror movie”. Colin Parry, owner of Masters Vehicle Body Repairs on Hart Street, said he believed six or seven “young girls” had been stabbed.
“It’s like something from America, not like sunny Southport,” he said.
Parry told BBC Radio 5 Live a handyman helped carry some children from the scene of the attack and neighbours helped carry “about 10 girls to safety”. “The community came together, everyone tried to help. Everyone tried to save the young people,” he added.
In a statement to X, Raja said he and his wife were “deeply shocked” to hear about the “terrible incident.” He added, “We send our deepest condolences, prayers and sympathies to the families and loved ones of those who tragically lost their lives, and to all those affected by this horrific attack.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales called the attack “appalling and vile”, adding that they were sending “love, thoughts and prayers to all involved”.
They said in X: “As parents, we cannot imagine what the families, friends and loved ones of those killed and injured in Southport are going through today. Thank you also to the emergency services who, despite facing the most horrific scenes, showed compassion and professionalism when your community needed you most.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “I know the whole country is shocked by what they have seen and heard. I know I speak for everyone across the country in saying, our thoughts and condolences are with the victims, their families, their friends and the wider community and it is almost impossible to imagine the grief they are going through, and the trauma they are experiencing. I would like to thank the emergency services and Merseyside Police who have had to respond to the most difficult of circumstances today.”
Everton and Liverpool Football Clubs also expressed their condolences to all those affected. In a joint statement, the two clubs said at X: “Everton Football Club and LFC come together to send our love and support to all those affected by today’s tragic events in Southport. You are in our thoughts and prayers.”
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said she was “deeply concerned” about the “very serious incident”, while Southport MP Patrick Hurley added he was “hoping for the best outcome for those affected”. Steve Rotheram, mayor of Liverpool City Region, has urged the public not to spread “unconfirmed speculation and false information”.
Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell said she was “shocked and devastated” to hear about the “truly appalling” incident. She said: “To hear that innocent and defenceless children have been attacked during a Taylor Swift performance at a dance school as they were enjoying the start of the school summer holidays is unimaginable and utterly appalling. These young people had their whole lives ahead of them and it is difficult to find words to express our profound sadness.”
Sefton Council leader Marion Atkinson said the council was “deeply shocked and saddened” by the tragic incident. “Our thoughts are with all the victims of this attack and their families,” she said.
“I would like to thank everyone who responded to this incident and helped in any way they could in what must be extremely difficult circumstances. We know this has caused concern and anxiety in the local community and while there is no immediate threat to the public, we will be providing help and support in the coming days and weeks.” (BBC/Z-3)
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