Stabbing in Southport: Several people injured in knife attack; residents urged to avoid the area

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Eight people, including children, were injured in a knife attack in Southport; police are classifying the incident as a serious incident.

Armed police arrested a man and confiscated a knife. One eyewitness said the incident resembled “a scene from a horror film.”

A local business owner who was among those who called police said he believed six or seven “young girls” had been stabbed.

Colin Parry, owner of Masters Vehicle Body Repairs in Hart Street, said: “The mums are coming here now and screaming.

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“It’s like a scene from a horror film.” He added: “The police caught him. It’s like something from America, not sunny Southport.”

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the North West Ambulance Service said they received an emergency call at 11:48am reporting multiple stabbings.

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They added: “We have dispatched 13 ambulances as well as specialist personnel from our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART), a rescue helicopter and emergency doctors to the scene.

“To date, NWAS has treated eight patients with stab wounds who were admitted to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Aintree University Hospital and Southport and Formby Hospital.”

Alder Hey Children’s Hospital confirmed in a statement that it was a serious incident and warned parents not to take their children to the emergency department unless it was urgent.

A local father, who wished to remain anonymous, said his daughter was “traumatized” by the attack. He said: “My daughter was there and she was traumatized. She ran away and got to safety.”

A woman who lives nearby told the Liverpool Echo The newspaper reported that residents in WhatsApp groups had urged each other to lock their windows and doors following reports of a man “running around stabbing people.”

She said: ‘I think it was about 20 past 12 and we heard lots of sirens and then a helicopter was circling overhead.

“Then messages started circulating on local WhatsApp groups saying ‘lock your windows, lock your doors’. We were told there was a man going around stabbing people.”

“We are all terrified, panicked and worried sick – everyone is trying to reach everyone they know in the area. I don’t know how something like this can happen on a Monday afternoon.”

A statement from Merseyside Police said: “We can confirm that emergency services are in Southport following a serious incident this morning, Monday 29 July.

“At around 11.50am we were called to a property on Hart Street for reports of a stabbing. Multiple casualties have been reported and further details will be confirmed as soon as possible.

“Armed police arrested a man and confiscated a knife. He was taken to a police station.

“Please avoid the area while we deal with this incident. There is no major threat to the public.”

Patrick Hurley, MP for Southport, said he was “deeply concerned” about the reports from Merseyside Police.

In a statement to X, he said: “I am deeply concerned by reports from Merseyside Police of a serious incident today in Hart Street, Southport.

“I hope for the best possible outcome for the victims affected. My thoughts are with all those affected, their families and the entire community.

“Police have confirmed that a person involved in the attack has now been arrested.

“I reiterate police advice to avoid the area whilst police and emergency teams assist with this incident.”

Further information on this breaking news incident will follow