A man went on a stabbing spree in northwest England on Monday injuring at least eight people, including children. According to police, the suspect was arrested with the knife in his hand.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the attack and called it "horrendous and deeply shocking."
Horrendous and deeply shocking news emerging from Southport. My thoughts are with all those affected.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 29, 2024
I would like to thank the police and emergency services for their swift response.
I am being kept updated as the situation develops.
Merseyside Police said that they received a call about a ‘major accident’ in Southport, a seaside town near Liverpool. The police commissioner said that the situation was under control and there was no wider threat to the public.
The North West Ambulance Service said medics treated eight people with stab injuries. The injured were taken to local hospitals, including a children's hospital.
Alder Hey Children's Hospital declared the incident as a "major" one. “We can confirm that the Trust has declared a major incident. The Trust is working with other emergency services to respond to this incident and our emergency department is currently extremely busy. We ask parents to only bring their children to the emergency department if it is urgent. All other appointments and services are running as normal,” said a statement released by the hospital.
Colin Parry, who owns an auto repair shop near the site of the attack, told the Associated Press that he believed several children had been stabbed.
"It's like something from America, not like sunny Southport," he said.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said she was "deeply concerned at the very serious incident." "The news from Southport is truly devastating. My heart goes out to all the families affected by this horrific incident & to the whole community. I have just spoken to the Merseyside Chief Constable & I thank all the emergency services responding in such difficult circumstances," she said.
