Man who tackled Southport attacker says riots ‘do not have anything at all to do’ with stabbing

A man who was stabbed during the Southport attack has suggested riots around the country do not have “anything at all” to do with the incident.

Three girls were killed and 10 more people were seriously injured when a knifeman entered a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club on 29 July and began attacking those inside.

John Hayes, 63, was stabbed in the leg while trying to disarm the attacker and says he is lucky the knife just missed an artery.

“I actually don’t think the trouble and the riots have got anything at all to do with the Southport stabbing,” he told BBC Radio 4, adding the incident was a “catalyst” for the disorder.