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Two children were killed today in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance and yoga event in Southport.
Nine more children have been injured, six of them in a critical condition. Two adults are also in a critical condition and it is believed they sustained their injuries trying to protect children.
Armed police arrested a 17-year-old boy, from Banks but born in Cardiff, after the incident. Merseyside Police are not treating the incident at terror-related.
Eleven patients with stab injuries were treated by the ambulance service, with some taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and others to Aintree University Hospital and Southport and Formby Hospital. A major incident declared at Alder Hey Hospital was stood down at around 9.30pm.
Police were called to reports of a stabbing at 11.05am (29 July) and found multiple people, may of whom were children, had been subjected to an attack.
Serena Kennedy, chief constable of Merseyside Police, said in a press conference: “It is with great sadness that today I am here to advise that two young children have died as a result of injuries sustained in a knife attack this morning.
“Nine other children have been injured, and six of them are in a critical condition, all those injured have suffered stab wounds sustained during the attack. Two adults are also in a critical condition after being injured during the incident.
“A 17-year-old male from Banks in Lancashire, who was born in Cardiff, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder and has been taken to a police station where he will be interviewed by detectives
“My officers were called to reports of a stabbing at 11.47am at an address 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 that the children were attending a Taylor Swift event at a dance school when the offender, who was armed with a knife, walked into the premises and started to attack those inside. We believe that the adults who were injured were trying to protect the children at the time they were attacked.
“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.”
If you witnessed the incident or otherwise have information which may help the investigation, you can use the Merseyside Police website or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Victim Care Merseyside is providing local help and support. You can contact them for free on 0808 175 3080 between 8am and 6pm.
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