Southport stabbing: Everything we know so far as two children killed in knife attack
29 July 2024, 16:19 | Updated: 30 July 2024, 00:11
A major incident was declared in Southport, Merseyside, after a mass stabbing on Monday - here is everything we know about the attack.
Listen to this article
Loading audio...
Emergency services were called to a property on Hart Street, Southport at about 11.50am on Monday.
Two children have died and nine injured - with six being left in critical condition.
A 17-year-old boy has been arrested, and police said they do not think the attack is terror-related.
Merseyside Police said it had declared a "critical police incident" after it received reports of the stabbing.
Alder Hey NHS trust declared a major incident in the wake of the attack and asked parents to only bring children to the Emergency Department if urgent.
Eight stabbed, including children, after knife rampage in Southport
Two dead and nine injured
Police confirmed on Monday afternoon that nine people had been injured - six of which being left in critical condition.
Two of those injured were teachers who were trying to protect the children.
Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said: "We believe that the adults who were injured were bravely trying to protect the children who were being attacked."
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".
Mr Kitchin also confirmed 11 casualties were treated at what he described as a "devastating scene".
Teenage boy detained and knife seized
Armed police detained a 17-year-old boy and seized a knife after several people were injured.
They said he had been taken to a police station.
Merseyside Police said in a statement: "We can confirm that a 17-year-old male from Banks, born in Cardiff, 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.
"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."
Locals told to keep windows and doors locked
Local social media and WhatsApp groups quickly lit up with warnings about the threats.
One woman told local paper the Liverpool Echo that soon after the attack "messages started to go around the local WhatsApp groups, saying 'lock your windows, lock your doors'".
She added that "we were told a man was running around stabbing people."
Taylor Swift-themed summer holiday club
The children were attending a Taylor Swift event at a dance school when a 17-year-old with a knife walked into the premises and started to attack, police confirmed.
Witnesses describe 'eerie' atmosphere as body bag spotted at scene
A resident, who did not want to be named, told LBC: "All I could see was one green body bag on the floor outside where it happened."
He added: "It's just eerie down there. There's a weird atmosphere from my garden. All the police are silent. It's very quiet... every breath feels quite hard down there, it's hard to explain."
He said his Mum had "seen the bodies" and described the scene as like something "straight out of a crime horror".
Another resident told LBC: "I think it's something horrific that is happening and I'm praying it wasn't the father of one of the children who did it, because that's the worry. I'm hoping it was just a deranged stranger.
"This is a family road, 90% of these houses either have children or grandchildren, it's very much a family area."
Tributes pour in from Royals and leaders
King Charles and Queen Camilla paid tribute to the two children killed in the attack in Southport.
“My wife and I have been profoundly shocked to hear of the utterly horrific incident in Southport today,” the royals wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
"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 Prince and Princess of Wales have also paid tribute.
William and Kate wrote on X: "As parents, we cannot begin to imagine what the families, friends and loved ones of those killed and injured in Southport today are going through.
"We send our love, thoughts and prayers to all those involved in this horrid and heinous attack.
"Thank you also to the emergency responders who, despite being met with the most horrific scenes, demonstrated compassion and professionalism when your community needed you most."
PM Sir Keir Starmer also offered his support to the victims of the attack.
He 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."
