- author, Gemma Sharrock, Monica Rimmer, Lauren Potts, Carla O’Neill
- role, BBC News, Merseyside
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Two children have been killed and nine injured, six seriously, in a “vicious” knife attack at a children’s dance workshop.
Two adults are also in a serious condition after being stabbed while trying to protect their children at the Taylor Swift-themed event on Hart Street in Southport, Merseyside Police said.
A 17-year-old boy from Banks, Lancashire, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.
Police said the motive for the attack was “unknown” but that they were not treating it as a terrorism-related incident.
One witness described the scene as “horrifying” and said he had “never seen anything like it.”
The King and the Prime Minister paid tribute to the victims and offered their “deepest condolences” to those affected.
Merseyside Police declared a major incident after receiving an emergency call at 11.47am BST, the first week of the summer holidays for many children in the UK.
Armored emergency vehicles, 13 ambulances and firefighters rushed to the dance class, which was being held for children aged between six and 10.
Police Commissioner Serena Kennedy said at a press conference that officers responding to the call were “shocked” to find several people, many of them children, had been the subject of a “vicious attack” and suffered serious injuries.
“The children were attending a Taylor Swift event at the dance school when it appears an assailant with a knife entered the premises and began attacking the children,” she said.
“We believe the injured adults were heroically trying to protect children under attack.”
She added: “As a mother of two daughters and grandmother to a five-year-old granddaughter, I cannot even imagine the pain and suffering that the victim’s family is currently experiencing. My heartfelt condolences and sympathies go out to them.”
Mr Kennedy said detectives would now be questioning the suspect, who police say is a 17-year-old from Cardiff.
Merseyside Police said they were not searching for anyone else in connection with the attack and that “the motive for the incident remains unclear.”
Mr Kennedy added that North West Counter Terrorism Police had offered assistance to Merseyside Police, but the incident was not currently being treated as terrorism-related.
Journalist Tim Johnson, Focus on SouthportPolice said the attack happened at Hope of Heart Children’s Club, which is housed in a former warehouse building in a back alley.
“It was horrible. I’ve never seen anything like it,” Johnson said.
“There were loads of police vehicles there, blue lights flashing. I saw emergency responders crying. There were people in the streets in tears.”
Alder Hey Children’s Hospital described it as a “serious incident” and North West Ambulance Service said it had sent 13 ambulances to the scene.
Dave Kitchen, emergency services operations manager, said 11 people were treated for injuries at the scene and transported by ambulance and helicopter to Alder Hey, the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Aintree University Hospital, Southport and Formby District General Hospital and Ormskirk District General Hospital.
He described the scenes witnessed by emergency workers as “devastating”, adding: “There is no doubt that this incident will have a lasting impact across the community and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.”
Great North Air Ambulance Service confirmed that a critical care team had also been sent to the scene.
“One patient was given advanced emergency treatment and then accompanied to hospital by car,” the spokesman added.
Colin Parry, owner of Masters Vehicle Body Repairs, located next to the scene of the attack, said a commotion broke out outside shortly before the attack began when a young man wearing a green hoodie and a mask arrived in a taxi but refused to pay the driver.
He was called by staff a short time later and saw a large group of “young children all bleeding.”
“This feels like it’s from America, not sunny Southport.”
Mr Parry told BBC Radio 5 Live that construction workers helped remove some children from the scene of the attack and that neighbours helped get “about 10 young girls” to safety.
“The community came together and everyone was trying to help. Everyone was trying to save the young children,” he added.
In a statement XThe King said he and his wife were “deeply shocked” to hear of the “utterly horrific incident”.
He added: “Our heartfelt condolences, prayers and deepest sympathies go to the families and loved ones of those who tragically lost their lives and to all those affected by this truly horrific attack.”
Prince and Princess Charles called the attack “horrific and heinous,” adding that they were sending “love, thoughts and prayers to all involved.”
They said X“As parents, we cannot imagine what the families, friends and loved ones of those killed and injured today in Southport are feeling.
“Thank you also to our emergency responders who, despite encountering the most horrific scenes, demonstrated compassion and professionalism at a time when our community needed it most.”
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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “I know the whole of England will be deeply shocked by what they have seen and heard.”
“I know I speak for the whole country when I say that our thoughts and condolences go out to the victims, their families and friends and the wider community. The grief and trauma they are experiencing is almost impossible to even imagine.”
“I would like to thank the emergency services and Merseyside Police who have had to respond to a most difficult situation today.”
Southport Football Club, whose ground is just a few blocks from the scene of the attack, announced it had cancelled its pre-season friendly against Morecambe FC scheduled for Tuesday “out of respect for those who tragically lost their lives”.
It also said its club lounges will be open from 10am to 6pm BST on Tuesday, with dedicated support staff on standby for anyone to “come together, share thoughts and seek support during this difficult time”.
Everton Football Club and Liverpool Football Club also offered their condolences to all those affected.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper expressed “deep concern” about the “very serious incident”, while Southport MP Patrick Hurley added that he “hopes for the best outcome for the victim affected”.
Liverpool city region Mayor Steve Rotherham urged people to refrain from spreading “unconfirmed speculation and false information”.
Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell said she was “devastated and absolutely devastated” to hear of the “truly horrific” incident.
Sefton Borough Council leader Councillor Marion Atkinson said the council was “deeply shocked and saddened by this tragic incident”.
“Our hearts go out to all the victims of this attack and their families,” she said.
“We would like to thank everyone who responded to what must have been an extremely difficult situation and offered all the help they could.
“We understand this incident has caused anxiety and upset in the local community and, although it does not pose an immediate threat to members of the public, we will be providing assistance and support over the coming days and weeks.”
A group of Taylor Swift fans, Swifties for Southport, has set up a fundraiser for the victims and their families.
Christina Jones, from the Taylor Swift UK & EU Facebook group, told BBC Newsbeat: “It’s heartbreaking to think that my parents are going through hell right now and the financial stress they must be going through because of this.”
“There’s absolutely no way to make the situation better, but reducing stress was definitely a priority for us,” she added.
Additional reporting by PA Media.
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