Stabbing in Southport, England: 1 child killed, 7 others injured

At least one child was killed and seven others injured in a knife attack in northwest England on Monday morning. A 17-year-old man was later arrested in connection with the violence.

The knife attack occurred in Southport, a coastal town in Merseyside, north of Liverpool, Merseyside Police said.

Authorities were called to a Hart Street property at 11:50 a.m. (6:50 a.m. ET) for reports of a stabbing.

“There are victims,” police said.

Merseyside Police said in an update on Monday that a 17-year-old boy from Banks, a nearby village, had been arrested. He remains in custody and is being questioned about the incident.

The police had previously stated that a knife had also been confiscated.

“Investigations are underway to create a film of this tragic incident,” police said. Officials say the attack is not considered terrorist and no one else is believed to be connected to the incident. There is no major threat to the public.

Eight patients with stab wounds were treated, the North West Ambulance Service said. The patients were taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Aintree University Hospital and Southport and Formby Hospital.

Many, if not all, of the victims appear to be children. Alder Hey Children’s called it a “major incident” on Monday and said “our emergency department is currently extremely busy” but noted that the hospital was working with other emergency services to respond to the incident.

Norwood councillor Greg Myers said he went to the scene where a police officer told him a child had died in the attack on Hart Street, the UK Press Association reported. Asked if he could confirm the death of a child, he told the agency: “That’s my understanding of the situation.”

A “Taylor Swift yoga and dance workshop” for primary school children was taking place near where the stabbing occurred, the BBC reported. The attack occurred at the Hope of Hart children’s club, the BBC reported, citing journalist Tim Johnson of local news channel Eye on Southport.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the incident in Southport as “appalling and deeply shocking news”.

“My thoughts are with everyone affected,” he wrote on X. “I would like to thank the police and emergency services for their quick intervention. I will be kept informed of how the situation develops.”

Patrick Hurley, MP for Southport, said he was “deeply concerned” about the incident in Hart Street.

“I hope for the best possible outcome for the victims involved. My thoughts are with all those affected, their families and the wider community,” he wrote on X. “Police have confirmed that an individual 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.”