Two children dead, six critically injured in Southport stabbing

A 17-year-old male has been arrested after two children died and six were critically injured in the UK’s worst knife attack since the 2017 London Bridge terrorist stabbings.

Police officers and forensic personnel put up a fence in Southport, northwest England, following the knife attack. Picture: AFP,

Two children have been killed and six are in a critical condition after a “horror movie” knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on Monday.

A 17-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder following the rampage at a summer holiday club for children in Southport, Merseyside.

Serena Kennedy, the chief constable of Merseyside, said that as well as the children who died, nine youngsters were injured in the “ferocious” stabbing and two adults were in a critical condition. She said the force believed that the adults were injured while “bravely” trying to protect about 25 children as the two-hour sold-out event – which was advertised as being for six to 12-year-olds – drew to an end late yesterday morning.

The incident is the worst knife attack in Britain since the London Bridge terrorist stabbings of 2017.

The arrested teenager, who is from the nearby village of Banks but originally from Cardiff, is in custody, the police said. A knife was recovered at the scene.

Witnesses said a man wearing a mask arrived at The Hart Space, an antenatal centre, in a taxi then refused to pay the driver. He walked into the centre, which was hosting the holiday club, and shortly afterwards residents reported hearing the screams of children. “It got louder and louder with more screaming and shouting,” a resident said.

A member of staff said the centre’s door was normally left unlocked so children could go to the lavatory.

Residents of the quiet street described a chaotic scene as youngsters with multiple stab wounds spilt out into the road. One neighbour was helped by other residents to take about ten girls to safety in his house.

The emergency services were called at 11.47am and 13 ambulances went to the scene, as well as an air ambulance helicopter.

The suspect, who has yet to be identified, fled and The Times understands that a personal trainer at a nearby gym helped to apprehend him.

Firefighters and ambulance staff were in tears after treating injured children at the scene, with some sitting on the floor with their head in their hands.

Colin Parry, the owner of Masters Vehicle Body Repairs, next to the antenatal centre, said: “The mothers are coming here now and screaming. It is like a scene from a horror movie.”

North West Ambulance Service said the victims were taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, in Liverpool, Aintree University Hospital and Southport and Formby Hospital.

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

In a statement, the King 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.”

Sir Keir Starmer said the incident was “horrendous and deeply shocking”. He wrote online: “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.”

The media gather near the scene of the attack. Picture: Getty Images.

Bare Varathan, 35, who owns a nearby newsagent, said: “I saw seven to ten kids outside. They were injured, bleeding. They were in the road, running.

“They had been stabbed, here, here, here, everywhere [Varathan indicated the neck, back and chest area]. They were all aged about ten.

“Only two police Jeeps and ambulances arrived, then armed police came. Somebody told me he had arrived in a taxi and had a knife.”

One local resident said he was at home at about midday when a woman pulled up outside in her car, screaming. He said: “She was screaming, ‘My daughter’s been stabbed.’ It was a mum with her ten-year-old daughter. 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.”

A police officer lays floral tributes in Southport. Picture: AFP.

Armed police descended on a house about five miles away in the Lancashire village of Banks, and it was cordoned off yesterday (Monday) afternoon.

At a press conference organised last night (Monday), the chief constable told reporters: “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.”

She added: “My officers were called to reports of a stabbing at 11.47 this morning at an address in Southport. 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. It is understood the children were attending a Taylor Swift event at a dance school when the offender armed with a knife walked in and started to attack the children. We believe the adults who were injured were bravely trying to protect the children who were being attacked.”

Kennedy said the motive for the attack was unclear but that it was not being treated as related to terrorism.

Yvette Cooper, the home secretary, wrote online: “All my thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those affected. I have spoken to the Merseyside Police & Crime Commissioner to convey full support to the police and thanks to the emergency services.”

The Times