Southport to fall silent two years on from attack

Southport will fall silent next week to mark two years since three girls were killed in an attack on a dance class.

Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine; Bebe King, six; and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, died in an attack at the Taylor Swift-themed dance class in the Merseyside town on July 29 2024.

In an open letter to the people of Southport published on Thursday, Sefton Council asked people to consider making donations to local causes instead of leaving floral tributes.

The authority said:

“It is the solidarity you continue to show as a community which will again shine bright in the coming weeks and we want everyone to know there has been an incredible amount of consideration, thought and planning given to how we all mark the date of July 29 going forward.”

🚄

Heading to London this summer?

Save money with the Avanti West Coast Summer Sale. Book now and snap up the best fares before they're gone.

Book now and save →

A three-minute silence will be held across the town at 3pm to remember those affected and flags will be lowered to half-mast on all public buildings.

The council said:

“Our colleagues have been working with faith and community leaders to once again identify local spaces where you can go, within your own neighbourhoods, to say a prayer, light a candle, speak to someone or spend a quiet moment reflecting in whatever way feels right for you. We fully understand that many of us still need to grieve and to acknowledge the day and there is no right or wrong way to do this.

“Whether you choose to attend a reflective space, observe the silence, spend time with loved ones, or simply take a quiet moment to yourself, we encourage everyone to do whatever feels most appropriate to you.”

Earlier this year, a public inquiry into Axel Rudakubana’s attack found it “could and should have been prevented” if steps had been taken by agencies and his parents.