Southport Knife Attack: A third child has died following yesterday’s attack in Southport

Officers from Merseyside Police have confirmed that a third child has died following the knife attack in Southport yesterday which has already claimed the lives of two other children.

A nine-year-old girl has died following yesterday’s knife attack in Southport, this follows yesterday’s tragic news that two other children were also killed.

Merseyside Police said the youngster died in the early hours of Tuesday morning following the deaths of two other girls, aged six and seven, in the attack in Southport on Monday.

A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, remains in custody accused of murder and attempted murder following the incident at the dance studio in Hart Street.

The full statement from Merseyside Police is here:

“Sadly we can confirm that a third child has passed away as a result of injuries sustained in a knife attack in Southport yesterday morning, Monday 29 July.

The nine-year-old girl died in hospital in the early hours of this morning, Tuesday, 30 July.

We can confirm that the children who died yesterday were girls aged six and seven years.

Eight other children suffered stab wounds sustained during the attack, and five of them are in a critical condition.

Two adults are also in a critical condition after being injured during the incident. 

Our specialist Family Liaison Officers are providing support to the families at this terrible time.

Yesterday, officers arrested a 17-year-old male from Banks and he remains in police custody.

A name has been shared on social media in connection with the suspect in the incident in Southport.  This name is incorrect and we would urge people not to speculate on details of the incident while the investigation is ongoing.

This incident is not currently being treated as terror-related and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with it. 

Anyone who witnessed anything, or who has information that could help our investigation can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Victim Care officers will be at the Community Support Centre set up at Southport FC from 10am-6pm today to support those affected.

Anyone who has been affected by this incident, can contact our Victim Care Merseyside service for help and support. Our hub of local, trained staff is here to provide free, emotional and practical support tailored to your needs.

You can contact Victim Care Merseyside for help whether you have reported a crime to the police or not by calling Freephone 0808 175 3080 on weekdays between 8am and 6pm or request support online at any time at www.victimcaremerseyside.org.”

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is expected to make a statement on the attacks in the House of Commons on Tuesday afternoon, after earlier laying flowers at the police cordon.

She met first responders in the town on Tuesday morning.

Visit the Merseyside Police website HERE.

Southport Attack:Everything we know so far – Read more here.