THE Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner has today responded to the release of findings of the Southport Inquiry Phase 1 report, published today following the inquiry conducted by Sir Adrian Fulford.

Emily Spurrell said:- “Today will be another incredibly hard day for the families at the heart of the Southport tragedy who have lived with unimaginable loss. They deserve answers, accountability, and assurance that lessons will be learned. This report marks a crucial moment in fully understanding what happened and why; not just in relation to 1 organisation, but across the range of agencies involved; and sets out the changes that are needed to ensure that we never see a repeat of that devastating day."

She continued:- “It is heartbreaking that there were so many missed opportunities to intervene. Each 1 was a moment where different decisions, stronger systems or better coordination could have changed the course of events and prevented this tragedy from unfolding. That is why it is vital that every organisation or agency involved engages fully with the findings, faces them openly, takes responsibility where failings are identified, and commits to meaningful action, so that future families are never left asking the same questions. I will consider the report in full and in detail, and through my scrutiny role, will oversee how Merseyside Police responds to the findings, and recommendations where they apply to the organisation."

Emily added:- “The report also recognises the response on the day itself, and the courage shown by Merseyside Police officers and PCSOs who were 1st on the scene, running towards danger and responding in the most harrowing of circumstances. The learning and recommendations in Sir Adrian’s report cannot stay on the page. They must be acted on in full and implemented nationally, with clear accountability and sustained oversight across all relevant agencies, to ensure that nothing like this can ever happen again.”