One dead and several injured after mass stabbing at 'Taylor Swift themed' event in Southport
29 July 2024, 14:52 | Updated: 29 July 2024, 15:56
One person has died and several others have been injured following a mass stabbing after a 'Taylor Swift themed' dance party in Southport.
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At least eight victims, who are being treated for stab injuries, have been taken to three hospitals, including Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Merseyside.
Alder Hey NHS trust has declared a major incident and have asked parents to only bring children to the Emergency Department if urgent.
Merseyside Police have also declared a "critical police incident".
A man has been arrested, the force have confirmed.
The attack is thought to have taken place at a children's holiday club in a residential area.
One witness described it as a "scene in a horror movie" with mothers coming down and "screaming".
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."
Another local man reported seeing a mother with her wounded daughter in the aftermath of the attack.
He said of the woman: "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."
An eyewitness tells LBC's reporter Liam Gotting that he lives behind the cordon, and he had been down to get his mother's medication.
He said: "There's just a lot of just police, standing everywhere.
"All I could see was one green bag, one green bag on the floor outside...
"All you can really see from my house is, is a green body bag on the floor. It's pretty horrible."
The Prime Minister has described a stabbing in Southport as "horrendous and deeply shocking".
Sir Keir Starmer thanked emergency services for their response to what happened on Hart Street earlier.
Steve Rotheram, the mayor for the Liverpool City region, said: "Like you, I'm deeply concerned to hear about the incident in Southport this morning.
"I have been in contact with the police and am being kept updated on the situation.
"Please wait for official updates. Don't spread unconfirmed speculation and false information."
A local parent, who did not wish to be named, said his daughter was "traumatised" by the attack.
He said: "My daughter was in it and she was traumatised.
"She ran away and she's safe."
