Latest incident in Southport: Victims: Alice Aguiar, Bebe King and Elsie Dot Stancombe, suspects arrested

The Mayor of Sefton said it was “uniquely heartbreaking” to think of “having to lay flowers because children wanted to go dancing at the start of their school holidays”.

June Burns said at the vigil: “It’s hard to find the right words at such a terrible, horrific time. When I went to lay flowers, it was very moving, it gripped you, you couldn’t help but cry.”

“The great sadness. That we have to lay flowers because some children wanted to go dancing at the start of their school holidays. That is unbelievable.”

A vigil has been held to remember the victims of the knife attack in Southport and to show support to all those affected by the tragedy.

People are encouraged to gather outside the Atkinson in Lord Street, Southport from 6pm to light a candle, lay flowers and reflect.

A British Taylor Swift fan group has come together to offer their support to the victims of the stabbing in Southport.

Danielle Stewart started a Facebook group called “UK Swifties” about a year and a half ago. When news of the Southport incident broke on Monday, she said many members wanted to do something to help, so she set up a GoFundMe page, which surpassed its goal within a day.

“I knew when I set it up that the whole community would come together, but I didn’t expect it to surpass the target so quickly,” the 31-year-old, who lives in East Kilbride in South Lanarkshire, told the PA news agency.

“It’s unbelievable that they all came together to do something for these families. To think that they just wanted to have a bit of fun and create some beautiful memories and then this happened, it’s just awful.”

A vigil is to be held this evening to remember the victims of the knife attack in Southport and to show support to all those affected by the tragedy.

As details of yesterday’s tragic events continue to emerge, the local community has stood together in the darkest moment imaginable.

Flowers continue to be laid at the sites where residents described their mourning ceremonies. Many of them are expected to attend a vigil this evening.

People are encouraged to gather outside the Atkinson in Lord Street, Southport from 6pm to light a candle, lay flowers and reflect.

One of the organisers posted on social media to drum up support for the event, saying: “I want to show these families that they are supported as a community by everyone in Southport.”

“We will gather to show our support and solidarity as a city. Please join us in remembering the lives lost and the poor adults and children who are still fighting for their lives.”

Sefton Parish Council has confirmed that it is working to organise the vigil.

Within an hour of Monday’s tragic stabbing in Southport, disturbing reports emerged on social media suggesting the victims may have been young children.

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Window cleaner Joel Verite described hearing a woman screaming: “He’s stabbing children” as he drove near the dance studio on Hart Street in Southport.

He described the scene to Sky News as follows: “We ran to the place she is talking about.

“When I run to the door, there is a car. There is a woman sitting in the car and she is screaming for me to come over.

“There is a child sitting in the passenger seat and four or five other children sitting in the back, covered in blood.

“It was honestly like a scene you would see in a disaster movie.

“I can’t even explain how horrible it was.”

Mr Verite said he carried a girl from the passenger seat of the car to safety.

Jinnie Payne, headteacher of Churchtown Primary School, has paid tribute to Southport stabbing victims Alice Da Silva Aguiar and Bebe King.

“It is with great sadness that we have heard the tragic news of the three children who died in yesterday’s atrocity, including Alice Da Silva Aguiar, a fourth-grader at Churchtown, and Bebe King, a former pupil,” Ms Payne said.

“Alice was the happiest of souls, a true ray of sunshine. Everyone in our school community of 700 children knew and loved her, a testament to her unique ability to connect with others.

“Bebe was a cheerful girl whose kindness radiated throughout the Churchtown community. During her school years, Bebe’s thoughtful nature and love of learning were evident in everything she did.

“At this incredibly difficult time, our immediate thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and friends of Alice and Bebe.

“We know that a number of other children from Churchtown were involved in the attack, along with popular colleagues.

“We extend our heartfelt best wishes to all the families affected by this terrible incident, including those currently in hospital or continuing to receive treatment. We sincerely hope for their speedy and full recovery.”

A man who confronted the attacker at the scene of a stabbing in Southport yesterday has described the moment his eyes met those of the knifeman.

Window cleaner Joel Verite was taking his lunch break on Monday when his colleague noticed the tragedy outside.

He said: “We were listening to music in our world, then he (his colleague) slammed on the brakes and all I could see from my side was a girl hanging on the side of her car.”

When he approached her, he was sent to Hart Space, where he was told that someone was “killing children.”

He told Sky News: “I opened the door and there was a staircase. I called out ‘hello’ to see if anyone was there. I look up and there’s this guy with a knife.”

“Maybe he didn’t realize I would be there, but our eyes met and then he scurried away.”

He added: “I just saw a knife and thought, ‘There are more people in there’ and I just wanted to hurt him so bad.

“But I was scared for myself and wanted to help people. So I went outside and screamed because I knew where he was.”

Sir Keir Starmer visited the scene of the accident in Southport this afternoon and left a wreath with the following message: “To the victims, families and people of Southport, our hearts are broken, there are no words for this profound loss. The thoughts of the nation are with you.”