Thursday 1 August 2024, UK
Southport UK stabbing suspect, 17, is named for the first time as he appears in court charged with murdering three little girls at Taylor Swift-themed dance class and harming 10 others with a 'curved kitchen knife'

Rudakubana (pictured as a child) is charged with murdering three little girls and harming 10 others at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport with a 'curved kitchen knife'

The convoy of police vans escorted the prison van away from Liverpool Crown Court
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13697675/southport-stabbing-suspect-named-appears-court-charged-murder.html
By Richard Marsden and Eirian Jane Prosser and Matthew Lodge 01 Aug 2024
A teenager charged with murdering three children and harming 10 others at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport has been named as Axel Rudakubana.
The 17-year-old, who turns 18 in just six days time, was born to Rwandan parents in Cardiff in 2006 before moving to the village of Banks in Lancashire in 2013.
He is accused of carrying out the attack that killed Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine.
Rudakubana is also accused of the attempted murders of eight more children, along with dance teacher Leanne Lucas, 35, and businessman John Hayes.
Up until now, the teenager's identity could not be revealed because suspects under 18 receive automatic anonymity in all UK court cases, except for in exceptional circumstances.
But after a successful application to the judge by the Mail, Rudakubana's name can now be reported.
Judge Andrew Menary KC said he had to balance the risk to the suspect's family and the risk to him in custody with the public interest accurately reporting his identity.
Far-right mobs took to the streets of Southport and and other major UK cities this week after a fake news website spread misinformation about the identity of the suspect.
Russian state media were among those falsely claiming that the suspect had arrived by boat to the UK last year, sharing claims that he was on an M16 watch list.
It led to violent riots, seeing dozens of police officers injured, wheelie bins set alight and emergency vehicles set on fire.
In a bid to quell tensions - after more riots broke out in London, Manchester Hartlepool, and Aldershot - Judge Menary revealed Rudakubana's identity.
As the suspected murderer arrived at the court he was met by dozens of people shouting, with one man having to be held back by police officers as the van holding him past.
The revelation comes as two children hurt in the attack were discharged from Alder Hey Children's Hospital, with five others in a 'stable condition'.
Pictured for the first time: Southport stabbing suspect Axel Rudakubana, now 17, pictured as a child, is charged with murdering three little girls and harming 10 others
Rudakubana (pictured as a child) is charged with murdering three little girls and harming 10 others at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport with a 'curved kitchen knife'
Court artist drawing of Rudakubana covering his face as he appeared in the dock at Liverpool Crown Court
Rudakubana (pictured as a child)haRudakubana covers his face in the dock at Liverpool Crown Court after being charged with three counts of murder and 10 counts of attempted murderRudakubana (pictured in a video) could not previously be named because suspects under 18 receive automatic anonymity in all UK court cases, except for in exceptional circumstancesAnother young picture of RudakubanaBebe King, aged six, was also killed in the attack. A teenager is set to appear in court charged with three counts of murderElsie Dot Stancombe, aged seven, was also fatally wounded in the attack which shocked the nation on MondayAlice Dasilva Aguiar, aged nine, was one of three children killed by a knifeman at a Taylor-Swift themed dance class in SouthportA man is held back by police as a prison van escorted by multiple police cars leaves Liverpool Crown CourtThe white van carrying Axel Rudakubana, 17, who is accused of killing three young girls arrives as Liverpool Magistrates CourtRudakubana seen arriving at court in a police convoyA prison van (centre) escorted by multiple police vehicles leaves Liverpool Crown Court
Honorary Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC said he had to balance the risk to the defendant's family and the initial risk while in custody against the public interest in accurately reporting his identity.
Why did the judge name Rudakubana?
Usually a defendant under the age of 18 is granted anonymity during court proceedings.
This means media are not allowed to name or picture them unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Today, however, Judge Andrew Menary KC decided to name Axel Rudbakubana.
The judge at Liverpool Crown Court listened to 20 minutes of legal submissions before declining to make an order to protect the teen's identity.
He said: 'Whilst I accept it is exceptional giving his age, principally because he is 18 in six days' time, I do not make an order under section 45.
'Continuing to prevent the full reporting has the disadvantage of allowing others to spread misinformation, in a vacuum.'
He noted that any order would have been lifted on Rudbakubana when he turned 18 anyways.
The judge's decision comes after misinformation spread by fake news websites and Russian state media wrongly identified the suspect.
The false claim said the suspect had arrived to the UK by boat last year sharing claims he was an M16 watchlist.
It led to violent riots in Southport and beyond which saw dozens of police officers injured, wheelie bins set alight and emergency vehicles set on fire.
He said: 'By continuing to prevent full reporting at this stage has the disadvantage of allowing others who are up to mischief to continue to spread misinformation in a vacuum and runs the risk that when the information becomes publicly available in six days' time, that will provide an additional excuse for a fresh round of public disorder.
'Allowing full reporting will undoubtedly remove some of the misreporting as to the identity of the defendant.'
A provisional trial date at Liverpool Crown Court, set to last six weeks, was scheduled for January 20 next year.
Rudakubana spent the entire 55 minutes of the hearing covering his whole face, with his grey sweatshirt pulled up to his hairline and at times rocking back and forth, side to side.
He will next appear at Liverpool Crown Court on October 25 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.
Until then he will be remanded in youth accommodation detention.
Judge Menary told the defendant, who did not acknowledge the judge and continued to keep his head down: 'You are remanded to youth detention accommodation until these proceedings have been completed.
'That position might change when you achieve your majority in a short while.'
Earlier today, the suspect attended a hearing at Liverpool City Magistrates' Court which lasted just five minutes.
During proceedings, prosecutor Deanna Heer alleged a 'kitchen knife with a curved blade' had been used during the rampage.
During that time Rudakubana, who is also charged with possessing an offensive weapon, wore a baggy grey tracksuit and black slippers and pulled his sweatshirt over his face above his nose, keeping his head low.
At one point in the hearing, the teenager, who did not speak once, looked back at the group of around 20 reporters that were sat behind the dock.
The suspect arrived at the court around 9.30am in a white prison van flanked by a large escort of at least eight police vehicles.
The large police presence comes amid fears angry protesters will turn up outside the courthouse, after a series of riots have swept the country in recent days.
More than 100 people were arrested in London last night following a far-right protest in Whitehall, with further unrest in Hartlepool, Manchester and Aldershot.
On Tuesday night, an angry mob took to the streets of Southport after a vigil to remember victims of the mass stabbing at the workshop attended by 25 children.
Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, 17, leaves Liverpool Magistrates' Court after being charged with three counts of murderThe convoy of police vans escorted the prison van away from Liverpool Crown CourtThe suspect was surrounded by a convoy of eight police cars and vans, with officers fearing they could be met with angry protesters following Monday night's riotsFloral and written tributes are left alongside balloons and teddy bears at the scene of the stabbings on Hart Street, SouthportForensic officers are pictured at the scene as emergency crews battled to save childrenEmergency crews swoop on the area after a group of children were attacked at Taylor Swift-themed dance class
The defendant, born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents, is accused of entering a dance studio in Hart Street and attacking children and adults who were inside on Monday afternoon.
Eight other children suffered knife wounds - with five left in a critical condition in hospital - while two adults who tried to save the young ones in the summer holiday club were also seriously wounded.
The adults harmed were dance teacher Leanne Lucas, 35, and businessman John Hayes who tried to help.
In a statement Merseyside Police said yesterday: 'We can confirm that a 17-year-old boy from Banks has been charged with the murders of Bebe, Elsie Dot and Alice; 10 counts of attempted murder; and Possession of a bladed article, following the tragic incident in Southport on Monday, 29 July.
'He has been remanded in custody to appear tomorrow, Thursday 1 August at Liverpool Magistrates Court, Derby Square.'
Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said: 'Whilst these charges are a significant milestone within this investigation, this remains very much a live investigation and we continue to work with our partners from Lancashire Police and Counter Terrorism Policing North West (CTPNW).
Leanne Lucas, who organised the Taylor Swift-themed holiday club, has had life-saving surgery and is now awake, her family said on WednesdayYesterday floral tributes, balloons and soft toys covered the street near the police cordonFriendship bracelets reading "Beautiful Swifties" are seen next to electric tea lights amid floral tributes for the victims of a deadly knife attack at the Atkinson in Southport
'I would like to thank all of the forces who have offered and supplied support to Merseyside Police during the last three days and I can confirm that we are being supported with investigative resources from across the North West.'
The boy, who was born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents, is from the village of Banks, just outside Southport.
Sarah Hammond, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Mersey-Cheshire, said: 'We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.
'It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary, or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.'
False claims online that the suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat had sparked riots across Southport on Tuesday night, despite pleas from one of the victim's mother's for calm.
Thousands of people turned out to pay their respects to the victims at a vigil in Southport, but violence later erupted outside a mosque in the town with 53 police officers and three police dogs injured. Five men have been arrested following that incident.
After rioting broke out, Elsie's mother, Jenni Stancombe, wrote on Facebook: 'This is the only thing that I will write, but please please stop the violence in Southport tonight.
'The police have been nothing but heroic these last 24 hours and they and we don't need this.'
Sir Keir Starmer said rioters had 'hijacked' a vigil for victims and will 'feel the full force of the law', while Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the rioting as 'violent attacks from thugs on the streets', which she branded 'appalling'.
The Prime Minister is set to face questions this afternoon after crisis talks with police over the outbreak of rioting following the Southport knife attack.
On Wednesday, a clean up operation took place outside the mosque, with residents coming together to clear roads where fires had been set and rebuild walls which had been knocked down.
Police called in support from neighbouring forces in case of further disorder, but the seaside town appeared to remain quiet on Wednesday evening, however unrest developed in other areas of the country.
More than 100 people were arrested in London after crowds gathered in Whitehall turned on police, throwing bottles and cans at officers in riot gear.
The Southport mass stabbings have led to riots on the streets. Pictured: A police van is torched in Southport on Tuesday nightSouthport burns: A street near a mosque goes up in flames as violent thugs took to the streets on Tuesday nightPolice chiefs arrive to meet Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer to discuss clashes following the Southport stabbingThe riots came barely an hour after thousands of mourners gathered for a vigil at the Atkinson in SouthportMourners leave floral tributes near the scene in Hart Street, where three children died and eight were injured in a 'ferocious' knife attack
Some were heard shouting the name of English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson, while others shouted 'Rule Britannia', 'save our kids' and 'stop the boats' and chanting 'you're not English any more'.
A Met Police spokesman said: 'Over 100 people have been arrested for offences including violent disorder, assault on an emergency worker, and breach of protest conditions. Some officers suffered minor injuries.'
Responding to last nights riots, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: 'The scenes of disorder and violence yesterday evening were completely unacceptable.
'There is no place for criminality on our streets and I fully support the Met Police taking action against those intent on violence, causing disorder and spreading division in our city.'
In Hartlepool, County Durham four people were arrested after violent protests broke out, with people detained for various offences after missiles, glass bottles and eggs were thrown at officers.
A police car was also set on fire before protesters posed for selfies with it.
Chief Superintendent David Sutherland said: 'At this stage we believe the protest is in connection with the incident in Southport earlier this week.
'Our officers are facing missiles, glass bottles and eggs being thrown at them and have made arrests as they remain in the area to protect the safety of those living in the community.
Floral tributes continue to be left around Southport
Teen 17 accused of Southport UK Murders BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c6p2yrg3pvpo
A 17-year-old charged with murdering three girls who were stabbed at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport has been named.
Axel Muganwa Rudakubana is also charged with 10 counts of attempted murder after eight other children and two adults were seriously injured in the attack on Monday.
The suspect, who is from the Lancashire village of Banks, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court, and also faces a charge of possessing a curved kitchen knife.
He was remanded into youth detention accommodation.
The Cardiff-born teenager could not previously be named due to his age but Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC ruled it could be made public following applications from the media.
The defendant is due to turn 18 next week.
The judge said he was mindful of "misinformation" that had spread regarding the accused's identity.
Southport saw a night of unrest on Tuesday following a vigil in memory of the victims, with protesters gathering near a mosque in the Merseyside town.
Five men were arrested - with one later charged with possessing a knife - after a police van was set alight and bricks were thrown, with 53 police officers injured.
A further Section 60 order, which gives police enhanced powers to stop and search and is designed to minimise violence, was put in place on Thursday evening.
This follows the original Section 60 order brought in for 24 hours from 17:00 BST on Wednesday evening.
The latest order came into effect at 18:00 BST and will also last for 24 hours, with extra officers in the area, Merseyside Police said.
Judge Menary said: "Continuing to prevent full reporting at this stage has a disadvantage of allowing others up to mischief to continue to spread misinformation in a vacuum."
He acknowledged his decision was "exceptional" but said "the balance clearly comes down in favour of the public interest in allowing full reporting of these proceedings".
Arguing against naming the defendant, the prosecution said he had an "autism spectrum disorder diagnosis" and had been "unwilling to leave the house and communicate with family for a period of time".
He attended an appearance at a youth court at about 09:00 BST, arriving in a prison van with a large police escort.
In front of a packed press gallery, he glanced at reporters before he was asked to sit down before District Judge James Hatton.
Wearing a grey police-issued tracksuit, the defendant pulled his sweatshirt above his nose and lowered his head during the five-minute hearing, in which he did not speak.
None of the families of the victims or the defendant were in court.
The accused will next appear at Liverpool Crown Court on 25 October for a pre-trial preparation hearing.
Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, died after the stabbings on Hart Street in the Merseyside town, just before midday on Monday.
Eight children and two adults were also seriously injured.
Earlier on Thursday, Alder Hey Children's Hospital confirmed two children who were being treated there had been discharged.
The hospital said it was continuing to treat five other children, and all were now in a stable condition.
A statement read: "We are delighted that two of the children involved in Monday's awful incident have now been discharged.
"Our heartfelt sympathies remain with all those affected."
The hospital also thanked Taylor Swift fans for raising more than £340,000.
Set up by two members of the Taylor Swift UK & EU Facebook Group, the fundraiser has had donations from fans around the world.
“Thank you for embodying the spirit of Taylor’s music and for turning empathy into action,” the hospital said.
Following Tuesday's disturbances in Southport, further disorder broke out in areas across England, with more than 100 people arrested at a protest in central London on Wednesday night.
There were also incidents in Hartlepool, Manchester and Aldershot.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said "action will be taken" following the "violent disorder" at a meeting with police chiefs at Downing Street earlier.
Speaking in a televised speech afterwards, he laid out plans for forces across the country to increase their co-operation to tackle such incidents.
He described the widespread disorder as the "actions of a tiny, mindless minority" and condemned "far-right hatred".
The prime minister added: "These thugs are mobile, they move from community to community, and we must have a police response that can do the same."
Following Monday's attack, the families of Bebe King and Alice Dasilva Aguiar issued tributes and asked for privacy.
Bebe's family said "no words can describe the devastation that has hit our family as try to deal with the loss".
The family of Alice said "keep smiling and dancing like you love to do our Princess".
Additional reporting by Rumeana Jahangir, Monica Rimmer, Phil McCann & PA Media
More than 100 arrested in London as violence flares after Southport stabbings | UK news | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/aug/01/southport-uk-stabbings-arrests-london-protests
Protesters clash with police in London and Hartlepool after Southport stabbings – video
Smoke flares on the Churchill statue in Parliament Square, London. Photograph
More than 100 arrested in London as violence flares after Southport stabbings
Hartlepool and Manchester among latest scenes of violent disorder triggered by online disinformation about accused
Firefighters tend to a burning police car in Hartlepool after a violent protest
More than 100 people have been arrested in London as further protests took place in several cities after the Southport stabbings.
A police car was set alight after a large group of people gathered in the Murray Street area of Hartlepool on Wednesday evening. Officers were attacked with missiles, glass bottles and eggs, Cleveland police said.
In Manchester, demonstrators turned out in large numbers outside the Holiday Inn hotel on Oldham Road at about 6pm on Wednesday, the Manchester Evening News reported.
About 40 people, which the paper reported included children and men wearing balaclavas, gathered outside the Oldham Road premises in what the paper said “appeared to be a stand against asylum seekers currently being housed in the hotel”.
In London, a large protest was staged under the title of Enough is Enough, with arrests made after demonstrators clashed with officers in Whitehall on Wednesday.
Southport stabbings: boy, 17, charged with murder and attempted murde
The Metropolitan police said: “Over 100 people have been arrested for offences including violent disorder, assault on an emergency worker, and breach of protest conditions. Some officers suffered minor injuries.”
Demonstrators were seen launching beer cans and glass bottles at a line of police in riot gear in front of Downing Street and throwing flares on to the statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square.
The angry scenes also included loud chants of “we want our country back” and “Oh Tommy Robinson”, referring to the rightwing activist.
Eight people were arrested after rioters in Hartlepool threw missiles, glass bottles and eggs at police during a disturbance linked to events in Southport.
A police car was also set alight during large-scale unrest over several hours in Hartlepool town centre on Wednesday night.
The protest began at about 6pm and led to the rapid deployment of police officers from Cleveland police as well as neighbouring forces.
Several hundred people gathered on the streets. Pictures and videos show police with riot shields being threatened by protesters carrying wooden bats and poles. There were also children throwing missiles at police.
Some of those present were shouting anti-immigrant slogans.
At one point police rescued a group of three men and a woman who appeared to have been trapped in a terrace house. The woman was carried to safety by a member of her group, and was highly distressed as she seemed to have had a panic attack.
Officers in riot gear moved quickly down a street and extracted the group from a terrace house where youths had gathered outside.
Firefighters extinguished a police car that had been set ablaze in the disorder. After crews moved on people were seen posing for selfies in front of the burnt-out vehicle.
The town centre standoff between protesters and police went on until about midnight.
Ch Supt David Sutherland of Cleveland police said: “At this stage we believe the protest is in connection with the incident in Southport earlier this week. Our officers are facing missiles, glass bottles and eggs being thrown at them and have made arrests as they remain in the area to protect the safety of those living in the community.”
In Manchester, the local councillor John Flanagan wrote on social media to respond to the violence, labelling those involved in the “sickening” incident as “mindless idiots”.
“I’d like to condemn these mindless thugs, attacking innocent men who are asylum seekers. They have been there for months and we have not had any issues or problems. They have been in a place of safety,” the councillor for Miles Platting and Newton Heath said.
“We cannot allow our country and our city to descend into anarchy, which seems to be being driven by madness on social media.”
In Aldershot, the local MP Alex Baker rebuked the violence in her community, stating there was “no justification for disorderly behaviour and the scenes do not represent Aldershot and Farnborough”.
“I have visited the scene myself this evening and have been in touch with the chief inspector … We all support our shared right to peacefully protest but we will not stand for people coming into our towns determined to stir up trouble and divide our community.”
'Furious': Southport residents clean up after night of far-right riot – video
Violence erupted in Southport on Tuesday after a vigil for three girls killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club.
Police officers in Southport sustained serious injuries when bricks, stones and bottles were thrown and cars were set alight during violent protests. The disorder near the town’s mosque came after false rumours were circulated online about the suspect.
Five people have been arrested over the unrest so far, at which 53 officers and three police dogs were injured.
A 17-year-old boy has been charged with the murders of the three girls. Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, were fatally stabbed on Monday at a dance class on Hart Street in Southport, Merseyside.
Eight other children sustained knife wounds with five of them in critical condition. Two adults were also critically hurt.
The accused has been remanded in custody to appear at Liverpool magistrates court, Derby Square, on Thursday.
What we know about the Southport stabbings as murder suspect named as Axel Rudakubana
What we know about the Southport stabbings as murder suspect named as Axel Rudakubana
A 17-year-old boy charged with the murder of three children at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class has been named after reporting restrictions were lifted.
Thu 1 August 2024
Axel Rudakubana has been charged with the murder of three girls in Southport on 29 July. (Reach)
A 17-year-old boy charged with the murders of three girls killed in the knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport has been named as Axel Rudakubana.
He appeared at a hearing at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday where a judge lifted reporting restrictions. The teenager could previously not be named because of his age, but would have lost anonymity when he turns 18 next Wednesday.
Rudakubana, from Banks in Lancashire, was remanded into youth detention accommodation after being charged with the murder of Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, who were killed on Monday morning.
Eight other children suffered stab wounds, with five of them in a critical condition in hospital. On Thursday, two of the children injured in the attack were discharged from hospital, while five more still being treated.

17-year-old Axel Rudakubana (centre) covered his face as he appeared in the dock at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday. (SWNS)
Rudakubana was charged with the attempted murder of two adults, yoga class instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes, as well as the attempted murder of the eight children who cannot be named for legal reasons.
The teenager, who was born to Rwandan parents in Cardiff, Wales, has also been charged with possession of a bladed article.

Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, Bebe King, six, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, have been named as the victims of the Southport stabbing. (PA)
At an appearance at Liverpool Magistrates court on Thursday, the defendant was brought into court at 10.21am, wearing a baggy grey tracksuit and black slippers. He looked at a row of reporters sat behind the glass dock and smiled before he was asked to sit down.
He used his left hand to pull his sweatshirt over his face above his nose and kept his head low during the five-minute hearing, in which he did not speak.
None of the families of either the victims or the defendant were in court for the brief hearing

A map showing the incident in Southport. (PA)
The 17-year-old's appearance in court comes after two nights of disorder in response to the stabbings: violent unrest in Southport on Tuesday night involving people linked to the far-right English Defence League and a protest on Whitehall, close to Downing Street, on Wednesday in which more than 100 people were arrested. Incidents were also reported in Hartlepool, Manchester and Aldershot.
Prime minister Keir Starmer condemned the rioting calling the people who took part a "mindless minority," adding he would introduce a new police team to tackle far-right groups that travel around the UK to protest.
He also issued a warning to social media companies that allow misinformation to spread on their platforms. Starmer said: "Violent disorder, clearly whipped up online, that is also a crime, it’s happening on your premises, and the law must be upheld everywhere."
A peaceful vigil involving hundreds of people was held for the victims in Southport on Tuesday evening.
What we know
Merseyside Police said officers were called to a property on Hart Street in Southport to reports of a stabbing at around 11.50am on Monday.
One witness told the PA news agency that he called the police to an address behind The Hart Space studios, where the Taylor Swift-themed class for children in school years two to six, aged between six and 11, was taking place.

Dance teacher Leanne Lucas is reported to have been injured in the attack while protecting children. (Instagram)
Armed police detained a man and seized a knife. They subsequently said the crime was not being treated as terror-related.
The suspect, who was born in Cardiff, is from the village of Banks, just outside Southport.
Along with the three young girls, yoga teacher Leanne Lucas has been identified as one of those injured. Lucas, 35, lives in Southport and runs Enlighten Kids Yoga and put on the Swift-themed yoga and dance workshop at the Hart Space. She is a former primary school teacher, according to The Guardian.
According to the Liverpool Echo, dance teacher Heidi Liddle is also believed to have been injured in the attack. Jonathan Hayes, managing director of Calculus Legal Costs, was also hurt.

A message in a bouquet of flowers from home secretary Yvette Cooper. (PA)
The incident has sparked a number of fundraisers. One of the most popular was set up by Taylor Swift fans Cristina Jones and Holly Holdring and has raised over £300,000 so far.
Taylor Swift responded to the incident saying she was "completely in shock”, adding: "I am at a complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families.”

Hundreds attended a vigil on Tuesday night. (PA)
On Tuesday evening, hundreds of people took part in a vigil near to the scene where the attack took place with local businesses closing their doors to encourage people to attend.
However, following the vigil, rioting broke out with bricks, stones and bottles thrown and cars were set alight. Dozens of police officers were injured and a mosque was attacked. The violence was in part incited by baseless rumours spread on social media, misidentifying the suspect and falsely claiming he was a refugee.
Five people have been arrested over the unrest, which saw 53 officers and three police dogs injured.
In a post on social media, the force said shops had been “broken into and looted”, adding that “those responsible will be brought to justice”.

Violent protests took place in Southport on Tuesday evening. (PA)
The Southport mosque chairman and imam described being trapped in the building while violence erupted outside as “terrifying” but said the supportive community response had been “humbling” after dozens of local residents turned up outside the mosque with brushes and shovels to help with the clean-up operation on Wednesday morning.
The MP for Southport Patrick Hurley condemned the “beered-up thugs” while Sir Keir Starmer said rioters had “hijacked” a vigil for victims and will “feel the full force of the law".
Elsie’s mother, Jenni Stancombe, wrote on Facebook: “This is the only thing that I will write, but please please stop the violence in Southport tonight. The police have been nothing but heroic these last 24 hours and they and we don’t need this.”

Volunteers, including children, sweep Sussex Road in Southport following the unrest on Tuesday night. (PA)
On Wednesday night, there was further disorder - in central London - as more than 100 people were arrested for offences including violent disorder, assault on an emergency worker, and breach of protest conditions at a demonstration in the wake of the killings and subsequent riots in Southport.
The people, described as "protesters" by police, threw flares towards the gates of Downing Street and chanted “Rule Britannia”, “save our kids” and “stop the boats”. Some were arrested after breaching a 8.30pm dispersal order.
Later, Sarah Hammond, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Mersey-Cheshire, confirmed that the 17-year-old suspect had been charged: “We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial," she said.
“It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary, or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings. Our thoughts remain with the families of all of those affected by these harrowing events.”
What we don't know

People lay flowers near the scene in Hart Street, Southport, where three children died and eight were injured in a "ferocious" knife attack. (PA)
Full details of what unfolded are not yet known, nor have the identities of all the victims been made public by officials. The nature of the injuries suffered during the attack have not been disclosed and it is not known how serious the injuries of those still in a critical condition are.
Police earlier confirmed that there was no clear indication of any motive.
Southport victim's aunt speaks of family's 'immense