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2024 Southport stabbing

Coordinates: 53°38′32.5″N 2°59′7.3″W / 53.642361°N 2.985361°W / 53.642361; -2.985361
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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by MIDI (talk | contribs) at 10:10, 31 July 2024 (→Public reaction and unrest: cite format, ref doesn't say that the connection was erroneous - we need neutrality here.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

2024 Southport stabbing
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Attack site
LocationHart Street, Southport, Merseyside,
United Kingdom
Coordinates53°38′32.5″N 2°59′7.3″W / 53.642361°N 2.985361°W / 53.642361; -2.985361
Date29 July 2024; 3 months ago (2024-07-29)
c. 11:47 (BST (UTC+1))
Attack type
Stabbing
WeaponsKnife
Deaths3
Injured10
MotiveUnder investigation

On the morning of 29 July 2024, a mass stabbing occurred during a children's event in a dance school in Southport, Merseyside, United Kingdom. Three children were killed, and ten other people – eight of whom were children – were injured.

Police arrested a 17-year-old male at the scene. A motive for the attack has not been identified, although police stated they are not currently treating the attack as terror-related.

Incident

At 11:47 BST on 29 July 2024, Merseyside Police responded to reports of multiple stabbings at a children's Taylor Swift-themed yoga and dance workshop at The Hart Space,[1] a dance school on Hart Street in Southport.[2][3][4]

A knife was seized and a 17-year-old male was arrested at the scene by armed police and taken into custody.[4] Thirteen units from the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) attended, including their hazardous area response team (HART) and Medical Emergency Response Incident Team (MERIT) doctors,[5][6] and helicopters from the North West Air Ambulance and Great North Air Ambulance services responded.[6][7] Merseyside Police imposed an Emergency Restriction of Flying to stop aircraft (including helicopters and drones) from flying in the area without permission.[8]

Casualties

Two girls, aged 6 and 7, died at the scene.[9] Eleven people, including nine children,[10] were treated by NWAS.[11] Casualties were taken to Alder Hey Children's Hospital, which declared a major incident, as well as Aintree University Hospital, Southport and Formby District General Hospital and Royal Manchester Children's Hospital;[12] seven people – five children and two adults – are in a critical condition.[13] A third girl, aged 9, died in hospital the day after the incident.[14][15][16]

Suspect

The suspect was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.[2] He is a 17-year-old male from Banks, Lancashire, a village approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) northeast of Southport. He was born in Cardiff, Wales, and moved to the Southport area with his parents, who are from Rwanda, in 2013.[17] He is believed to have arrived at the scene by taxi[18] and acted alone. While Merseyside Police have not identified a motive, they are not currently treating the incident as terror-related.[19]

Aftermath

Official responses

Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the incident as horrendous and shocking, and thanked emergency services for their swift response.[20] A similar remark was made by Leader of the Opposition Rishi Sunak. Speaking in the House of Commons, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that she was concerned by the incident and described the emergency services' response as courageous.[21] Patrick Hurley, in whose constituency the incident occurred, stated that he was deeply concerned and hoped for the best possible outcomes to the casualties whilst as well as praising local organisations that "stepped up to the plate" and urging against any online speculation over the event.[22][23] Cooper additionally visited Southport the following morning to lay flowers and meet officials and community leaders.[24] Starmer also visited the same day and laid flowers at the scene. He was heckled by some members of the public.[25]

Condolences were sent by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, as well as the Prince and Princess of Wales.[26][27] Prime Minister of Portugal Luís Montenegro also sent his condolences, alongside the Regional Government of Madeira, following reports that the parents of one victim emigrated from Madeira to the UK.[28]

Swift responded, saying "the horror of yesterday's attack in Southport is washing over me continuously [...] These were just little kids at a dance class. I am at a complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families."[29] Swifties raised over £100,000 within 24 hours for the victims of the attack.[30]

Public reaction and unrest

Main article: 2024 Southport riots

A vigil was held outside the Atkinson in Eastbank Square on the evening of 30 July, with thousands of people in attendance. The main road was closed and some shops closed early so thnat staff could attend.[31] Flowers and handwritten notes were left there and near the scene of the attack.[32]

The same evening a large group of people gathered near a mosque on St Luke's Road, near Hart Street; far-right protestors had focussed on the possibility that perpetrator is Muslim. [33] They attacked the mosque with bricks, bottles, and rocks,[34] and set a police vehicle on fire. Merseyside Police believed the group to be supporters of the English Defence League.[35] An officer suffered a broken nose.[32]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Southport stabbings - what we know so far about knife attack". BBC News. 29 July 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Southport stabbings: Two children killed and six in a critical condition after major incident". Sky News. 29 July 2024. Archived from the original on 30 July 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  3. ^ "Children were at Taylor Swift-themed event". BBC News. 29 July 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2024. [...] it's understood the children were attending a Taylor Swift-themed event when the attacker entered.
  4. ^ a b "Southport: 'Major incident' after reports of stabbing and 'number of casualties'". Sky News. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  5. ^ "Ambulance service responding to 'multiple stabbings'". BBC News. 29 July 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2024. We're attending a major incident on Hart Street, Southport following reports of multiple stabbings in which we have dispatched multiple resources.
  6. ^ a b North West Ambulance Service [@NWAmbulance] (29 July 2024). "North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) is responding to a major incident following a call at 11:48am to Hart Street in Southport following reports of multiple stabbings [...] We have dispatched 13 ambulances along with specialised resources of our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART), Air Ambulance and Merit Doctors to the scene. [...] So far, NWAS has treated eight patients with stab injuries who have been taken to Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Aintree University Hospital and Southport and Formby hospital" (Tweet). Retrieved 29 July 2024 – via Twitter.
  7. ^ "Air ambulances land at scene". Sky News. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  8. ^ "Restrictions on drones and helicopters in Southport following incident". Merseyside Police. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  9. ^ "Two children killed, say police". BBC News. 29 July 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2024. [T]wo children have died [...] nine others have been injured, and six are in critical condition. Two adults are also in critical condition.
  10. ^ Cobham, Tara (29 July 2024). "Southport stabbing latest: Children among eight injured in major incident as police arrest man". The Independent. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  11. ^ "Ambulance treated 11 casualties". BBC News. 29 July 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2024. Paramedics treated 11 casualties
  12. ^ "Eight victims treated for stab injuries – ambulance service". BBC News. 29 July 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2024. The North West Ambulance Service says paramedics have treated eight patients with stab injuries. The victims have been taken to Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Aintree University Hospital and Southport and Formby Hospital, it says in a statement.
  13. ^ "Southport stabbing latest: Third child dies after Southport dance class stabbing, say police". BBC News. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  14. ^ Murray, Jessica; Al-Othman, Hannah; Halliday, Josh (30 July 2024). "Southport attack: third child dies and five in critical condition". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  15. ^ "Marcelo lamenta morte de menina portuguesa em ataque com faca no Reino Unido". www.cmjornal.pt (in Portuguese). Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  16. ^ "Menina portuguesa é a terceira vítima mortal do ataque com faca no Reino Unido". www.record.pt (in Portuguese). Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  17. ^ "Suspect was born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents". BBC News. 30 July 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024. [T]he 17-year-old [...] was born in Cardiff and moved to the Southport area in 2013. His parents are from Rwanda [...]
  18. ^ Halliday, Josh; Al-Othman, Hannah (29 July 2024). "'Absolutely shocked': residents tell of horror after Southport stabbing attack". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  19. ^ "Police say attack 'not being treated as terror-related'". BBC News. 29 July 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2024. We can confirm that a 17-year-old male from Banks [...] was arrested [...] At this early stage, enquiries are ongoing to establish the motive [...] and we would urge people not to speculate while the investigation is ongoing. We can also confirm that the incident is not currently being treated as terror-related and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.
  20. ^ "Southport incident 'horrendous and deeply shocking' – Starmer". BBC News. 29 July 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2024. I would like to thank the police and emergency services for their swift response.
  21. ^ "Home secretary Yvette Cooper on 'awful' Southport incident". Sky News. Retrieved 29 July 2024. I have been in contact with the Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner and the Merseyside mayor to convey my support to the police and our thanks to the police and emergency services for their swift and courageous response.
  22. ^ "Southport MP 'deeply concerned' by stabbing reports". BBC News. 29 July 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2024. Hurley [...] says he's 'deeply concerned' by the reports of the stabbing in Southport. 'I am hoping for the best possible outcomes to the casualties affected'.
  23. ^ "Southport stabbing: Southport's new MP urges against speculation online". BBC News. 30 July 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  24. ^ "Southport stabbing: Home Secretary lays flowers at scene". BBC News. 30 July 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  25. ^ Stringer, Connor (30 July 2024). "'How many more children will die?': Starmer heckled on Southport visit". The Telegraph. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  26. ^ "King sends 'heartfelt condolences' to victims' families". BBC News. 29 July 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2024. King Charles III says he and Queen Camilla '[...] send our most heartfelt condolences, prayers and deepest sympathies'.
  27. ^ "William and Kate send 'love, thoughts and prayers' to Southport victims". BBC News. 29 July 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2024. The Prince and Princess of Wales have paid tribute to those affected by the attack in Southport, saying [...] 'We send our love, thoughts and prayers to all those involved'.
  28. ^ Couzens, Gerard (30 July 2024). "Southport stabbing: Portuguese PM remembers Alice Aguiar". BBC News. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  29. ^ Stephens, Max (30 July 2024). "Southport attack latest: Girl, 9, becomes third child to die in stabbing". The Telegraph. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  30. ^ "Swifties for Southport: Fans raise more than £100,000 for Southport victims". The Independent. 30 July 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  31. ^ "Community bands together in the aftermath of attack". BBC News. 30 July 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024. Thousands of people gathered at the vigil for the victims of the attack in Southport [...] [Some businesses ]said they were closing early just so their staff could get down to the square in front of the Atkinson.
  32. ^ a b "Southport stabbing latest: Clashes in Southport after town mourns in vigil for victims of stabbing attack". BBC News. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  33. ^ Zemler, Emily (31 July 2024). "Far-right Protesters Descend on Southport After Deadly Knife Attack in English Town". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 31 July 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  34. ^ "Smoke canisters deployed". BBC News. 30 July 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024. Hundreds of protesters gathered near a local mosque attacking the front of it, throwing bricks, bottles and rocks, many with hoods up and scarves hiding their faces.
  35. ^ Stephens, Max; Stringer, Connor; Johnston, Neil; Henshaw, Chelsie (30 July 2024). "Southport stabbing: Police van set on fire as clashes break out at Southport mosque". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
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