Two children have died following a “frenzied” knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event in Southport, near Liverpool, on Monday morning, police confirmed.
Speaking at a press conference, chief constable Serena Kennedy said two children were killed in a “ferocious attack”. She added that nine others had been injured, including six left in a critical condition. In addition, two adults are also in critical condition. All injuries were as a result of stab wounds.
Ms Kennedy said a 17-year-old boy from Banks, Lancashire, had been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder over the attack.
Bleeding children had been seen fleeing the “horror movie” knife attack close to a Taylor Swift-themed yoga class.
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Armed police arrested a teenager and seized a knife after being called to the “major incident” at a property in Hart Street, Southport, at about 11.50am on Monday.
North West Ambulance Service said it had so far treated eight patients with stab injuries, who have been taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Aintree University Hospital and Southport and Formby hospital.
One witness said he called the police to an address behind The Hart Space studios, where a Taylor Swift-themed yoga class for children aged between six and 11 was taking place.
Colin Parry, owner of Masters Vehicle Body Repairs, said he believed that six or seven “young girls” had been stabbed.
He went on: “The mothers are coming here now and screaming. It is like a scene from a horror movie.”
He added: “Police have got him. It’s like something from America, not like sunny Southport.”
Bare Varathan (35), who owns a corner shop in Hart Street, said he was called by a staff member who told him: “Boss, get to the shop!”
He said: “I saw seven to 10 kids outside the nursery. They were injured, bleeding. They were in the road, running from the nursery.
“They had been stabbed, here, here, here, everywhere [he gestured to the neck, back and chest area].
“They were all aged about 10. One of them was really seriously injured. I hope they will be OK. Only two police jeeps and ambulances arrived, then armed police came and took him out of the nursery.
“Somebody told me he had arrived in a taxi and had a knife.”
A resident of Hart Street but did not want to be named said he was at home about midday when a woman pulled up outside in her car, screaming. He said: “She was screaming ‘My daughter’s been stabbed’.
“The woman was in hysterics. Then two police cars rushed up the street the other way. It was a mum with her 10-year-old daughter who had been stabbed.
“I helped to get her back up to where the police cars and ambulances were. She didn’t look great but my focus was on getting her back up the street to get help.
“When I got back up the street there were a couple of kids on the floor being seen to by paramedics and, as I came back, more police cars were going down and more ambulances gradually started to arrive.”
Another local parent said: “My daughter was in it and she was traumatised. She ran away and she’s safe.”
Alder Hey hospital declared a major incident and asked parents not to bring their children to the emergency department unless it was urgent.
British prime minister Sir Keir Starmer said the incident was “horrendous and deeply shocking”, while home secretary Yvette Cooper said she was “deeply concerned”.
A large police cordon has been put up around the building in Hart Road, police officers guarding either end.
Officers and vehicles can be seen from a distance inside the cordon, including scenes-of-crime officers in white boiler suits.
A large and growing media presence with reporters, photographers and TV crews assembled at the police tape. Dozens of police cars, vans, fire engines and ambulances were also assembled a short distance away at a local school.
Merseyside Police said: “There are a number of reported casualties and more details will be confirmed when possible. Armed police have detained a male and seized a knife. He has been taken to a police station. Please avoid the area while we deal with this incident. There is no wider threat to the public.” – PA/Guardian