This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. (July 2024) |
On the morning of 29 July 2024, a mass stabbing took place at a dance school in Southport, Merseyside. Two children were killed and eleven people, nine of whom were children, were injured.
| 2024 Southport stabbing | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | Hart Street, Southport, Merseyside, United Kingdom |
| Date | 29 July 2024 c. 11:50 (BST (UTC+1)) |
Attack type | Stabbing |
| Weapons | Knife |
| Deaths | 2 |
| Injured | 9 |
Police arrested a 17-year-old male at the scene. A motive for the attack has not been identified, while police have stated they are not treating the attack as terror related.[1]
Incident
editAt 11:47 BST on 29 July 2024, Merseyside Police services responded to reports of multiple stabbings at a children's Taylor Swift-themed event at a dance school on Hart Street in Southport.[2][3][4]
A knife was seized and a male was arrested at the scene by armed police and taken into police custody.[4] Thirteen units from the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) attended, including their hazardous area response team, and Medical Emergency Response Incident Team (MERIT) doctors,[5][6] and helicopters from both the North West Air Ambulance and Great North Air Ambulance services responded.[6][7] Merseyside Police imposed an Emergency Restriction of Flying to stop unpermitted aircraft (including helicopters and drones) from flying in the area.[8]
Eleven people, including children,[9] were treated by NWAS.[10] Casualties were taken to Alder Hey Children's Hospital, which declared a major incident, as well as Aintree University Hospital and Southport and Formby District General Hospital.[11] Two children were killed, and eight people – six children and two adults – are in a critical condition in hospital.[12]
Investigation
editThe suspect was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.[2] He is a 17-year-old from Banks, Lancashire, a village approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) north east of Southport, who was born in Cardiff, Wales. He is believed to have arrived at the scene by taxi[13] and acted alone, and while Merseyside Police have not identified a motive, they are not treating the incident as terror-related.[14]
Responses
editPrime Minister Keir Starmer described the incident as "horrendous and shocking" and thanked police and emergency services for their swift response.[15] 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".[16] Patrick Hurley, in whose constituency the incident occurred, stated that he was "deeply concerned" and hoped for "the best possible outcomes to the casualties".[17] Condolences were sent by King Charles III and Queen Camilla[18] and the Prince and Princess of Wales.[19]
References
edit- ^ "Southport stabbings latest: Boy, 17, arrested after children killed in stabbings at dance school during Taylor Swift event". Sky News. 29 July 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
- ^ a b "Southport stabbings: Two children killed and six in a critical condition after major incident". Sky News. 29 July 2024.
- ^ "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.
- ^ a b "Southport: 'Major incident' after reports of stabbing and 'number of casualties'". Sky News. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Air ambulances land at scene". Sky News. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
- ^ "Restrictions on drones and helicopters in Southport following incident". Merseyside Police. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Ambulance treated 11 casualties". BBC News. 29 July 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
Paramedics treated 11 casualties
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Halliday, Josh; Al-Othman, Hannah (29 July 2024). "'Absolutely shocked': residents tell of horror after Southport stabbing attack". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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'.
- ^ "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'.
- ^ "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'.
See also
editExternal links
edit- "Statement on major incident in Southport" (Merseyside Police)