Police at scene of Southport stabbings as children among injured
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One child is believed to have been killed in a knife attack at a children’s dance class in Southport.
Eight patients including children have been treated for stab injuries after police were called to a studio holding a Taylor Swift themed dance workshop.
Armed police have detained a man and seized a knife after officers were called to reports of a stabbing at a property on Hart Street on Monday.
Members of the public have been urged to avoid the area around the street after the force was alerted to the incident at around 11.50am.
One woman who lives nearby told the Liverpool Echo newspaper that residents had warned each other on Whatsapp groups to lock their windows and doors following reports of a man “running around stabbing people.”
An eyewitness, who runs a corner shop nearby, says he saw “seven to ten kids” running from a nursery while bleeding.
Have you been affected by this incident? Email athena.stavrou@independent.co.uk
Key PointsShow latest update 1722268442Bishop of Liverpool prays for ‘peace, calm and reassurance’
Right Reverend Dr John Perumbalath, Bishop of Liverpool, said: “Like so many, I am shocked and saddened by the news from Southport. My prayers are, and will remain, with all those affected by this tragedy.
“I am deeply grateful for the quick response of all the emergency services and pray for all those called to care for the victims and support those affected by this incident.
“I know events such as this are unsettling for the community and I pray for peace, calm and reassurance for all affected.”
Athena Stavrou29 July 2024 16:54
1722268342Chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioner praises emergency service response
Donna Jones, chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, said: “I am deeply concerned to hear about the major incident in Southport today. My thoughts are with the children and families injured. This incident is one that has shaken the community, not just in Southport but across the UK.
“Well done to Merseyside police for apprehending the suspect quickly and confirming he is in police custody. The police have asked the public not to speculate on social media in order to ensure the police investigation can take place as needed.”
Athena Stavrou29 July 2024 16:52
1722267728Recap: What we know so far
– Eight people, including children, were stabbed on Hart Street, Southport on Monday morning.
– The attack happened at a Taylor Swift themed children’s dance class at a community space that runs baby yoga and school holiday activities.
– One child is believed to have been killed, a local councillor said.
– Police have arrested one man and retrieved a knife.
Athena Stavrou29 July 2024 16:42
1722267005Door for children’s dance class usually left unlocked, says staff member
A staff member at the Hart Space, where a knife attack took place at a children’s class today, told The Telegraph that the front door to the property was usually left unlocked.
They said there was no other way out of the address in case of a fire.
She told the paper: “We’ve just been told that the door was open downstairs but it’s always open because there’s no alternative exit from that room. There’s no fire door.
“Also we have to keep it open as the children want to go to the toilet constantly and it’s just outside the door – the toilets.
“It’s a lock with a key – you’d have to keep all the kids locked in with a key.”
“The Hart Space is the most lovely, lovely relaxing place. Usually, it’s for babies.
“It’s a holistic kind of thing – for yoga and all that type of thing. For babies and pregnant women.”
Athena Stavrou29 July 2024 16:30
1722266824‘A man has gone out and ruined those kids lives’ – local community distraught in attack aftermath
Local residents have expressed their shock and heartbreak after a knife attack injured several children at a dance class.
Alaina Riley, 18, told the Liverpool ECHO: “Those kids will be traumatised for life. They went to go for a Taylor Swift workshop. Those kids are on holiday – they’re living their lives and doing what they love to do.
““My thoughts go out to the kids and their families. It’s horrific to hear. The local community will be devastated. Knife crime is a big thing now. A man has gone out and ruined those kids lives.”
Athena Stavrou29 July 2024 16:27
1722266002One child believed to be dead in attack
Norwood councillor Greg Myers said he had attended the scene in Southport on Monday where a police officer had told him a child had died following the attack on Hart Street.
When asked if he could confirm the death of a child, Mr Myers told the PA news agency: “That is my understanding of the situation.”
Athena Stavrou29 July 2024 16:13
1722265638Watch: Police at scene of Southport stabbings as children among injuredPolice at scene of Southport stabbings as children among injured
Athena Stavrou29 July 2024 16:07
1722265301Local residents saw children ‘covered in blood’
Ryan Carney, who lives with his mother Hayley on Hart Street, said he rushed home from work to be with her after she saw the incident.
Speaking to reporters at the police cordon, he said: “She went out to see what was going on, because she could hear screaming and crying, so she goes out.
“All she said was she saw members of, I don’t know, either police or ambulance, carrying out a few bodies of girls.
“They were in white, but covered in red, covered in blood. She said she could see the stab wounds in the backs of the children. That’s what she saw.
“My brother’s been with her, he’s 13, he’s witnessed it. She’s gone in the house and made cups of coffee and stuff for the fire service and everything like that.
“She came out and there was a woman who was screaming, saying she can’t find her child.
“They let her into the cordon and she ran down and all she could hear was screaming and crying, saying, ‘That’s my child! That’s my child!’
“She’s gone inside to the house, I’ve called her, she’s in a terrible, terrible way.”
Athena Stavrou29 July 2024 16:01
1722265253Eyewitness says stabbing happened at sold Taylor Swift themed event
Ryan Carney, who lives with his mother Hayley on Hart Street said the incident took place in a location with a garage and a gym, at a holiday club where children play Lego.
Speaking to reporters at the scene, he said: “It’s like a Taylor Swift club thing, it’s on Facebook. Even yesterday or this morning they put out that it’s sold out.”
Mr Carney said at the location he saw a green bag on the floor, which he believed was a body bag.
He added: “All this stuff never really happens around here. You hear of it, stabbings and stuff like that in major cities, your Manchesters, your Londons. This is sunny Southport. That’s what people call it. The sun’s out. It’s a lovely place to be.
“It’s a seaside town, everyone comes from Liverpool, from Manchester, it’s nice seaside.”
Athena Stavrou29 July 2024 16:00
1722264578Watch: Southport eyewitness recalls multiple air ambulances attending scene of stabbing attack
A North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) spokesperson said it had treated eight patients with stab injuries who were taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Aintree University Hospital and Southport and Formby hospital.
Merseyside Police confirmed that armed officers detained a male, who was taken to a station, and seized a knife.
There is no wider threat to the public, authorities added.
The public has been urged to avoid the area around Hart Street.
Local resident Ian Uzzell told Sky News several air ambulances also arrived on the scene.
Athena Stavrou29 July 2024 15:49
Source link : https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/southport-stabbing-latest-suspect-attack-victims-police-b2587673.html
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Publish date : 2024-07-29 11:54:02
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