Southport stabbings latest: Teenage suspect arrested after two children killed and nine injured during knife attack at dance class

The Independent’s Tara Cobham reports from the scene:

A local resident has added a bouquet to the floral tributes piling up at the quiet scene this morning, as two police officers stand at the top of the cordon on Hart Street.

Mark Sims, 65, said he was working nearby when his wife phoned him to tell him an incident was unfolding in their “ordinary” area.

“It’s just terrible, it’s shocking,” he told The Independent. “You never thought it would happen here. It’s just an ordinary town. I saw the helicopters and that yesterday. My wife phoned me to say something had happened. They’re just kids for gods sake. Terrible.”

A local footballer says he has received hundreds of messages after offering a free football holiday camp by children affected by yesterday’s stabbing.

“If there are any parents on here from Southport who’s children are distressed after todays events. Please DM me,” he wrote on X yesterday evening.

“I am hosting a Football Camp this week and your children can attend free of charge.”

The Marine AFC player then posted an update this morning: “The power of social media I’ve had hundreds of messages off people asking how they can help. I have a few ideas to try and help our community get through this.”

The Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner has confirmed authorities are not looking for any other suspects in connection to a knife attack in Southport yesterday.

Emily Spurrell told BBC Breakfast that police will now take time to figure out what happened and why.

A 17-year-old boy from Banks has been arrested in connection with the stabbings, which is not suspected to be terror-related. Merseyside Police said the motive is currently unclear, and the teenager remains in custody.

A local resident is among those arriving early this morning to leave flowers at the scene at the top of Hart Road.

The woman, who did not want to give her name, described her shock and horror at what unfolded in her neighbourhood yesterday.

“You don’t hear anything like that round here – it’s shocking,” she told The Independent. “I just feel so dreadfully sorry for the families involved in this. It’s just awful. It’s horrible.”

Sir Keir Starmer could visit the community reeling from the Southport knife attack on Tuesday, the chancellor has suggested.

Asked whether the PM will be in the northwest seaside town, Rachel Reeves told Sky News: “I’m sure he will be and I know that the home secretary is already there.”

Reacting to the attack, she said: “Beyond the worst nightmare of any parent what’s unfolding in Southport. And my thoughts and prayers are with all of those families affected.

“And I also just pay tribute to the emergency services, particularly at Alder Hey Hospital having to treat the children and families who have been impacted by what happened yesterday.

“Nothing can prepare you for something like this. And I think everybody across our country today is thinking of that community and those families.”

Road closures remain in place in Southport following yesterday’s knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class, as well-wishers left floral tributes close to the scene.

Colin Parry, the owner of the Masters Vehicle Body Repairs 50 metres or so from the scene of the attack, told The Guardian he had a heated exchange with a young man he believed to be the attacker moments before the attack.

He said: “He came down our driveway in a taxi and didn’t pay for the taxi, so I confronted him at that point. He was quite aggressive he said: ‘What are you gonna do about it?’.”

Mr Parry said the man he now believes was the attacker then turned and walked out of the driveway of his business. Moments later, Mr Parry said he received a phone call from a colleague who had run to the dance studio after he heard “screaming that wasn’t normal”, he added.

Mr Parry said a member of staff saw “about 10 kids go running past him, all bleeding, and one of them collapsed on the floor outside the neighbour next door”.

Prince William and Kate, Princess of Wales, have sent their “love, thoughts and prayers” to the families, friends and loved ones of those killed and injured in yesterday’s “heinous” attack at a children’s dance class in Southport.

The royal couple 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.”

Two children have been killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport.

Six other children remain in critical condition in hospital with stab injuries, while two adults who were believed to be protecting the young victims remain critically ill.

Armed officers detained a 17-year-old boy from Banks and seized a knife after attending Hart Street in Southport at 11.50am on Monday.

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Normally a place of rest and relaxation, the Hart Space is set back from an unassuming residential street in Southport.

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