Children among eight stabbed in knife rampage ‘at Taylor Swift event’ as mums heard screaming
By Jonathan Rose,
2024-07-29
EIGHT people including children have been stabbed at a Taylor Swift-themed event, witnesses say.
The youngsters were attacked in scenes “like a horror film” at the pop star-themed yoga and dance workshop – with their mums’ screams heard by horrified neighbours.
Police in Southport, Merseyside, where a man has been detained PA A police scenes of crime officer works at the scene PA Onlookers gather near emergency vehicles PA An air ambulance has landed near the police cordon EPA Police parked up at Meols Cop High School EPA
Cops rushed to a property in Hart Street, Southport , at around 11.50am today as chaos erupted on the road.
A man was subsequently detained and a knife seized after a number of people were injured, Merseyside Police said.
Witnesses say a man “wearing a black hood” walked into the summer camp before a number of people suffered injuries.
Photos from the scene show dozens of police cars, vans, fire engines and ambulance parked at Meols High School, which has broken up for the summer holidays.
A large police cordon has also been put up around the building in Hart Road, with police officers guarding either end.
North West Ambulance Service has confirmed eight patients have been rushed to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Aintree University Hospital and Southport and Formby Hospital.
Cops have warned people to avoid the area but say there is no wider threat to the public.
A local business owner, who was one of the people who called the police, said the incident was akin to a “scene in a horror movie.”
Leigh Walton, 50, who owns Yates Motor Engineers on the same street, told the Sun: “Police have been searching out a back yard as the man went on the run and were checking under cars for him.
“The house is not advertised as a nursery but it is one. This is a shocking incident, it’s not a crime hub round there, it’s a quiet area.
“I’ve heard children were injured and there are more than 50 police vehicles in attendance and air ambulances circling overhead.
What we know so far…
At least eight people, including children, have been injured
Armed police were called to the scene on Hart Street, Southport, at 11.50am
A man has been detained and a knife seized
Patients have been taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Aintree University Hospital and Southport and Formby Hospital
A “major incident” has been declared at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital
The attack is understood to have taken place at a Taylor Swift-themed event
“I saw the armed response black Volvo race to the scene and parents looking distressed.”
Colin Parry, owner of Masters Vehicle Body Repairs on Hart Street, added: “The mothers are coming here now and screaming.
“It is like a scene from a horror movie.”
“Police have got him. It’s like something from America, not like sunny Southport.”
Ryan Carney, who lives with mum Hayley on the road, said he rushed home from work to be with her after she saw the incident.
Speaking at the cordon, he added: “She went out to see what was going on, because she could hear screaming and crying, so she goes out.
“All she said was she saw members of, I don’t know, either police or ambulance, carrying out a few girls.
“She came out and there was a woman who was screaming, saying she can’t find her child.
“They let her into the cordon and she ran down and all she could hear was screaming and crying, saying ‘that’s my child! That’s my child!’
“She’s gone inside to the house, I’ve called her, she’s in a terrible, terrible way.”
The witness recalled seeing emergency services carrying out a couple of injured girls.
A resident who lives on the street said he was at home when a woman pulled up outside in a car screaming at around midday.
He said: “She was screaming ‘my daughter’s been stabbed’.
“The woman was in hysterics. Then two police cars rushed up the street the other way.
“I helped to get her back up to where the police cars and ambulances were.
“She didn’t look great but my focus was on getting her back up the street to get help.
“When I got back up the street there were a couple of kids on the floor being seen to by paramedics and, as I came back, more police cars were going down and more ambulances gradually started to arrive.”
Witnesses have reported seeing around 20 police cars and several ambulances as well as a helicopter circling above.
One resident told the Liverpool ECHO they had locked their doors and windows to “stay safe”.
Others have reported hearing “loads of sirens” and the entirety of the street is behind a police cordon.
A statement Merseyside Police read: “There are a number of reported casualties and more details will be confirmed when possible.
“Armed police have detained a male and seized a knife. He has been taken to a police station.
Police at the scene in Southport EPA Forensic officers working arriving the scene PA
“Please avoid the area while we deal with this incident. There is no wider threat to the public.”
The force earlier said: “We can confirm that emergency services are in Southport following a major incident this morning, Monday 29 July.
“At around 11.50am, we were called to a property on Hart Street to reports of a stabbing.
“There are a number of reported casualties and more details will be confirmed when possible.
“Armed police have detained a male and seized a knife. He has been taken to a police station.
“Please avoid the area while we deal with this incident. There is no wider threat to the public.”
A spokesperson for North West Ambulance Service said: “We’re attending a major incident on Hart Street, Southport following reports of multiple stabbings in which we have dispatched multiple resources.
“We’re assessing the situation and working with emergency partners.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the multiple stabbings are “horrendous and deeply shocking” as he thanked emergency services for their response.
The horror allegedly happened at a Taylor Swift-themed yoga and dance workshop A knife has been seized EPA A police officer speaks on the phone while he guards the cordon SWNS At least eight people have be treated for injuries PA
An ambulance spokesperson said: “North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) is responding to a major incident following a call at 11:48am to Hart Street in Southport following reports of multiple stabbings.
“We have dispatched 13 ambulances along with specialised resources of our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART), Air Ambulance and Merit Doctors to the scene.
“So far, NWAS has treated eight patients with stab injuries who have been taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Aintree University Hospital and Southport and Formby hospital.”
Alder Hey Children’s Hospital said: “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.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the incident is “horrendous and deeply shocking” as he thanked emergency services for their response.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said she was “deeply concerned”, as Alder Hey declared a major incident and asked parents not to bring their children to the emergency department unless it was urgent.
Southport MP Patrick Hurley said he was “deeply concerned” by the reports coming from Merseyside Police.
In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, he said: “I am deeply concerned by the reports coming from Merseyside Police about a major incident on Hart Street in Southport today.
“I am hoping for the best possible outcomes to the casualties affected.
“My thoughts go out to all those affected, their loved ones and to the entire community.
“The police have confirmed that an individual involved in the attack has now been detained.
“I am repeating the advice of the police to avoid the area whilst the police and ambulance teams support this incident.”
Police were called around midday SWNS Police have warned people to avoid the area while evidence is gathered PA A police officer secures emergency tape to a post CHRIS NEILL Police, fire and paramedic crews are in attendance CHRIS NEILL Cops were called to a ‘major incident’ at a property on Hart Street in Southport PA
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