Southport stabbing latest: Two children killed and nine injured in knife attack as teenage boy arrested

Two children have been killed while six others remain in a critical condition after a “horrendous” stabbing at a Taylor Swift themed dance workshop in Southport.

Two adults also remain critically ill in hospital with knife injuries after “bravely” trying to protect the young victims.

A 17-year-old boy from Banks has been arrested in connection with the stabbings, which is not suspected to be terror-related. Merseyside Police said the motive is currently unclear, and the teenager remains in custody.

Armed police detained him and seized a knife after officers were called to reports of a stabbing at a property on Hart Street on Monday.

Members of the public have been urged to avoid the area around the street after the force was alerted to the incident at around 11.50am.

Witnesses described hearing “screaming” and seeing bleeding children running from the scene.

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.”

Have you been affected by this incident? Email athena.stavrou@independent.co.uk