Dear readers — today’s Post briefing concerns the horrific news coming out of Southport today, where it is being reported that children are among the victims of a mass stabbing at a dance and yoga event. And a warning: this briefing contains multiple highly distressing details throughout.
All the details of the incident are not currently clear and things are fast-moving. However, it is understood that one person has died, while many others have been rushed to hospitals around the region for urgent medical care. The North West Ambulance Service says its paramedics have treated at least eight victims with stab injuries.
Multiple witnesses who spoke to the BBC have reported seeing children bleeding. The owner of a corner shop said he saw "seven to ten kids" bleeding, while one resident in the area said she heard a woman screaming “my daughter's been stabbed".
Merseyside Police confirmed an arrest was made and a knife was seized. They said there is no longer a threat to the public but urged people not to speculate until the full details emerged. Today’s Big Story is about what we know so far.
Editor’s note: Given the nature of the story unfolding, today’s Post briefing only includes the news from Southport and a short round-up of other headlines from the region. Other Monday briefing features (Home of the Week, Post Picks and Recommended Reads) will return next week. Thank you.
The Big Story: Children among the victims of mass stabbing in Southport
Top line: At least eight people, at least some of whom are believed to be children, have been stabbed in a “major incident” in Southport. It is currently understood that one person has died and many others have been rushed to hospitals around the region for urgent treatment.
Police statement: Earlier today, Merseyside Police put out a statement confirming that an incident had occurred on Hart Street in Southport with “multiple casualties”. They also said that an arrest had been made and that there was no longer a threat to the public. The police statement in full was as follows:
“We can confirm that emergency services are in Southport following a major incident this morning, Monday 29 July. At around 11.50am, we were called to a property on Hart Street to reports of a stabbing. There are a number of reported casualties and more details will be confirmed when possible. Armed police have detained a male and seized a knife. He has been taken to a police station. Please avoid the area while we deal with this incident. There is no wider threat to the public.”
Key details: The full details of the incident are not yet clear and the situation is fast-moving. The key facts we know so far are as follows:
Paramedics for the North West Ambulance Service have treated at least eight victims with stab injuries
Alder Hey Children's Hospital has declared a major incident
The attack occurred at a dance and yoga event for children. Multiple witnesses are reporting that children are among the victims
The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, described the event as "horrendous and deeply shocking news".
Southport’s MP, Patrick Hurley, said he was “hoping for the best possible outcomes to the casualties affected”.
Home secretary Yvette Cooper said this: "I have spoken to the Merseyside Police & Crime Commissioner to convey full support to the police and thanks to the emergency services responding."
Tim Johnson, a journalist for Eye on Southport, arrived about 20 minutes after police had been called and told the BBC that he’d seen a girl on a stretcher covered in blood.
“Her parents were running after her. It was horrendous. I’ve never seen anything like it. There were so many police cars. It was a mass of blue lights. I saw ambulance men and women in tears. People were in tears in the streets."
A resident on Hart Street who spoke to the BBC said she heard a woman screaming “my daughter's been stabbed". A separate witness who spoke to the BBC, who owns a corner shop on the street, said he saw "seven to ten kids" bleeding. As the attack was carried out neighbours in the area warned each other to lock their doors.
Bottom line: Police have urged the public not to speculate on the details of the incident until they are confirmed officially. It is clear though that a horrific tragedy has occurred, with multiple children involved.
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