In a sudden and vicious knife attack on Monday (July 29), in the town of Southport, located more than 20 kilometers north of Liverpool, England, at least 8 people, including several children, were injured. A male suspect has been arrested by the British police.
Merseyside County Police posted on the social media platform X on Monday, stating that a “significant incident” had occurred in Southport, where they had “arrested a male and seized a knife, with casualties reported,” but assured that there was “no wider threat to the public.”
The police later confirmed that a 17-year-old boy from Banks was arrested in connection with the attack and is currently in custody.
According to the BBC, the Merseyside County Police received the alarm at around 11:50 am BST. Tim Johnson, a journalist from the local newspaper “Eye on Southport,” arrived at the scene on Hart Street approximately 20 minutes after the police received the report. Johnson stated that a yoga and dance workshop themed around Taylor Swift for 6 to 10-year-old primary school students was taking place nearby.
The North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) stated that they dispatched 13 ambulances and medical professionals to the scene of the incident. They have treated 8 injured patients, some of whom have been transferred to local hospitals including Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Aintree University Hospital, Southport, and Formby Hospital.
BBC quoted Johnson as saying that the incident occurred at the “Hope of Hart” Children’s Club on Hart Street. He mentioned that the children were the ones injured, and he saw a girl lying on a stretcher with severe injuries, stating, “It’s terrible. I’ve never seen anything like this before.”
He added, “I saw paramedics in tears, people on the street were crying.”
One of the local business owners was among those who reported the incident to the police. BBC quoted him as saying that the scene was like something out of a “horror movie.”
Alder Hey Children’s Hospital stated that they are collaborating with other emergency services as their emergency department is “extremely busy.” The hospital has declared a “major incident.”
The hospital advised that parents should only bring their children in for emergency situations and added that all other appointments and services are continuing as usual.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the stabbing incident as “abhorrent and deeply shocking,” while also appreciating the response by emergency services.
Merseyside County Police are currently investigating the case and have urged the public to “follow our updates and avoid speculation.”