Two children have died and six are in a critical condition following a “horror movie” knife attack close to a Taylor Swift-themed yoga class.
Merseyside Police said a 17-year-old boy, from the village of Banks and born in Cardiff, was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder following the “major incident” at a property in Hart Street, Southport, north of Liverpool, at about 11.50am on Monday.
Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said as well as the two children who died, nine children were injured in the “ferocious” attack and two adults are also in a critical condition.
Here is what we know so far:
– What happened?
Police were called to reports of a stabbing at 11.47 on Monday morning at an address in Southport.
Ms Kennedy said officers found multiple people, many of whom were children, had been subjected to a “ferocious attack” and had suffered serious injuries.
She added the adults who were injured were “bravely trying” to protect the children who were being attacked.
It is understood the children were attending a Taylor Swift event at a dance school when the offender, armed with a knife, walked into the premises and started to attack children inside.
One witness told the PA news agency that he called the police to an address behind The Hart Space studios, where a Taylor Swift-themed yoga class for children in school years two to six, aged between six and 11, was taking place.
Others described hearing “screaming” and seeing bleeding children running from the scene.
Colin Parry, owner of Masters Vehicle Body Repairs, said he believed that six or seven “young girls” had been stabbed.
He went on: “The mothers are coming here now and screaming.
“It is like a scene from a horror movie.”
Mr Parry added: “Police have got him.
“It’s like something from America, not like sunny Southport.”
A large police cordon was put up around the building in Hart Road, with police officers guarding either end.
Officers and vehicles could be seen from a distance inside the cordon, including scenes-of-crime officers in white boiler suits.
Ms Kennedy said the motivation for the attack is “unclear” but it is currently not being treated as terror-related.
– Where and when did it happen?
Police were called to reports of a stabbing in Hart Street, Southport, at around 11.47 on Monday.
Southport is in the north-west, around 10 miles north of Liverpool.
North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) said victims were taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Aintree University Hospital and Southport and Formby hospital.
Alder Hey declared a major incident and asked parents not to bring their children to the emergency department unless it was urgent.
– What do we know about the attacker?
Merseyside Police confirmed that armed police had “detained a male and seized a knife” following the incident.
The force later said a 17-year-old boy from Banks, a Lancashire village to the north of Southport, who was born in Cardiff, was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.
He will be questioned about the incident, and police said they are working to establish the motive for the attack.
Police confirmed that the incident is not currently being treated as terror-related and said no one else is being sought in connection with it.
– What do we know about the victims?
North West Ambulance Service Cheshire and Merseyside head of service Dave Kitchin told a press conference 11 casualties were treated at what he described as a “devastating scene”.
Two children died in the attack and nine were injured.
Six of those are in a critical condition.
Two adults are also in a critical condition.
The victims have not yet been named.
– What has been said?
The King said he and the Queen had been “profoundly shocked” to hear of the “utterly horrific incident in Southport today”.
Charles added: “We send our most heartfelt condolences, prayers and deepest sympathies to the families and love ones of those who have so tragically lose their lives, and to all those affected by this truly appalling attack.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales said: “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.”
Following the press conference, the Prime Minister offered his condolences to the victims of the attack in Southport, and their families and friends, saying “the whole country is deeply shocked”.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said earlier: “The news from Southport is truly devastating.
“My heart goes out to all the families affected by this horrific incident & to the whole community.
“I have just spoken to the Merseyside Chief Constable & I thank all the emergency services responding in such difficult circumstances.”
MP for Southport Patrick Hurley posted a statement on X: “My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and families of the horrific attack on Hart Street today.
“I am deeply saddened by the news that two children have been fatally injured.
“I hope for the swift and full recovery of all the other victims of this senseless attack and I thank the staff at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Southport and Formby Hospital, and Aintree University Hospital for their care for those affected.”
