A boy, 17, was arrested after at least eight people were injured in a “horror movie” knife attack in Southport.
Two children have been killed in a knife attack in Southport at a Taylor Swift-themed dance and yoga event for primary school aged children.
Nine more children were injured, with six in a critical condition. Two adults also have critical injuries, Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said.
Armed officers arrested a 17-year-old boy after the incident and seized a knife. The attack was not terror-related, police said.
In total, 11 patients with stab injuries were treated by the ambulance service and some were taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, which declared a major incident.
Here is what we know so far about the attack.
How did it unfold?
Police were called to reports of a stabbing on Hart Street in Southport at about 11:50BST on Monday.
They described what had happened as a “major incident” and said a number of casualties had been reported.
North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) said they had treated 11 casualties with stab injuries.
The victims were taken to Aintree University Hospital, Southport and Formby Hospital, and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.
It added that 13 ambulances, specialised resources of its Hazardous Area Response Team (Hart), an air ambulance and doctors were dispatched.
Alder Hey declared a major incident, and told parents to bring their children to its emergency department only if it is urgent.
Air ambulance doctors delivered “advanced emergency care” for one patient and accompanied them to hospital by road, the Great North Air Ambulance service.
Where did the attack happen?
Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said as well as the two children who died, nine children were injured in the “ferocious” attack and two adults are also in a critical condition.
Ms Kennedy said the force believe the adults were injured while “bravely” trying to protect the children.
The incident happened at a Taylor Swift yoga and dance event aimed at primary school children aged six to 10.
Journalist Tim Johnson, of Eye on Southport, arrived at the scene about 20 minutes after the police had been called.
He said the incident happened at the Hope of Hart children’s club, which is housed in a former warehouse building on a back street.
He saw one girl on a stretcher who was seriously injured, and said “it was horrendous, I’ve never seen anything like it”.
Mr Johnson said paramedics were among “people in tears in the streets”.
What do we know about the suspect?
Merseyside Police confirmed that armed police “detained a male and seized a knife” following the incident, and said there was no wider threat to the public.
The force later said a 17-year-old boy from Banks, a Lancashire village to the north of Southport, was arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the stabbing. He was originally from Cardiff, they added.
He will be questioned about the incident, and police said they are working to establish the motive for the attack.
Police confirmed that the incident is not currently being treated as terror-related and said no one else is being sought in connection with it.
Old School Close in Banks, about a 15-minute drive away from the scene, has been cordoned off with officers stationed outside a house.
The Liverpool Echo has reported that an operation there is connected to the stabbings, but this has not been confirmed.
What have witnesses said?
One eyewitnesses at the scene said the scene was like a “horror movie”.
Colin Parry, the owner of Masters Vehicle Body Repairs on Hart Street, who called the police, said he believed six or seven “young girls” had been stabbed.
“It’s like something from America, not like sunny Southport,” he said.
One neighbour, helped by another, took “about 10 girls to safety” in his house, Mr Parry told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“The community was coming together, everyone was trying to help,” he said. “Everyone was trying to save the young kids.”
He said another man, a builder, also helped some of the children leave the site of the attack.
A local parent, who did not wish to be named, said his daughter was “traumatised” by the attack.
He said: “My daughter was in it and she was traumatised.
“She ran away and she’s safe.”
Joanne, a therapy nurse who lives in the area, says she ran out of work after receiving a call from a friend, as she had to make sure her daughters were safe.
She says one of her daughters heard “quite a sinister scream” when she was in the garden around the time of the incident.
“Nobody can believe it. All the local mums have checked in with one another. I’m sure we’re all going to know somebody from that poor group,” she adds.
How have leaders reacted?
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the multiple stabbings “truly awful”.
“I know I speak for everybody in the whole country in saying our thoughts and condolences with the victims, their families, their friends and the wider community.
“It’s almost impossible to imagine the grief that they’re going through and the trauma that they’re going through.”
He also thanked emergency services, who he said had to “respond to the most difficult of circumstances”.
King Charles III has said he and the Queen are “profoundly shocked”.
In a statement posted on X, the King said they send their “heartfelt condolences, prayers and deepest sympathies” to everyone affected by the “appalling attack”.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “The news from Southport is truly devastating. My heart goes out to all the families affected by this horrific incident & to the whole community.”
Southport MP Patrick Hurley added that he was “hoping for the best possible outcomes to the casualties affected”.
Steve Rotheram, mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said he was “deeply concerned” to hear about the incident, and urged the public not to spread “unconfirmed speculation and false information”.
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