Mersey Reporter - #Merseybites #News

A press conference has been held today (Monday, 29 July 2024) in Southport Community Fire Centre, following a major incident this morning. Attending the conference were:- Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy, MFRS Chief Fire Officer Phil Garrigan and NWAS Cheshire and Merseyside Head of Service Dave Kitchin.

Also issued to the press by Merseyside Police is the following statement:- "It is with great sadness that today I am here to advise that 2 young children have died as a result of injuries sustained in a knife attack this morning. 8 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. 2 adults are also in a critical condition after being injured during the incident. A 17 year old male from Banks in Lancashire, who is originally from 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:- 11.47 am, 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 2 daughters, and the nanna of a 5 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. I would appeal to anyone who witnessed anything, or who has information that could help our investigation or Crimestoppers on:- 0800555111. Anyone who has been affected by this incident, can contact our Victim Care Merseyside service for help and support. Our hub of local, trained staff is here to provide free, emotional and practical support tailored to your needs. You can contact Victim Care Merseyside for help whether you have reported a crime to the police or not by calling Freephone:- 08081753080, on weekdays between 8am and 6pm or request support online at any time at:- VictimCareMerseyside.Org."

Please remember that this is an ongoing investigation and that this incident is not currently being treated as terror related, and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident. There is no wider threat to the public.

Please do not speculate about what has taken place or the motive behind it. Further updates will be provided to the public when available.