TWO children have been killed after a mass stabbing in Southport.
At around 11.50am yesterday (Monday, July 29) Merseyside Police were called to reports of “multiple stabbings” at a property in Hart Street where a Taylor Swift-themed dance event was taking place.
Two children were killed while nine more were injured, with six in critical condition. Two adults also have critical injuries.
A 17-year-old boy from the Bank area of Southport but originally from the Cardiff area has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.
Here is everything we know so far
Where and when did it happen?
Merseyside Police were called to a property on Hart Street in Southport at around 11.50am on Monday, July 29 after reports of a stabbing.
Police declared a “major incident” at the scene in Southport, after receiving emergency calls with armed response vehicles, 13 ambulances, and the fire service descending on the mass casualty scene, a school holiday club for children aged six to 11.
A large police cordon was put up around the building on 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.
Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy, giving a statement to media in Southport yesterday evening, said officers were called to a “ferocious” attack.
She said: “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 into the premises and started to attack the children inside.”
She added the adults who were injured were “bravely trying” to protect the children who were being attacked.
Who are the victims?
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 ages and names of the dead children, or whether boys or girls, have not been given by police, who said they are not treating the incident as terror-related but the motive “remains unclear”.
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 emergency services said
North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) said victims were taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Aintree University Hospital and Southport and Formby hospital.
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”.
Alder Hey declared a major incident and asked parents not to bring their children to the emergency department unless it was urgent.
What have the police said
Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said: “It is with great sadness that I am here to advise that two young children have died as a result of injuries sustained in a knife attack this morning.
“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.
“Our specialist family liaison officers are providing support to the families at this terrible time.
“I would appeal to anyone who witnessed anything, or who has information that could help our investigation or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
“Anyone who has been affected by this incident, can contact our Victim Care Merseyside service for help and support.
“Our hub of local, trained staff is here to provide free, emotional and practical support tailored to your needs.
“You can contact Victim Care Merseyside for help whether you have reported a crime to the police or not by calling Freephone 0808 175 3080 on weekdays between 8am and 6pm or request support online at any time at www.victimcaremerseyside.org.”
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