One dead and several injured after mass stabbing at 'Taylor Swift themed' event in Southport

29 July 2024, 14:52 | Updated: 29 July 2024, 15:56

A man has been detained after a stabbing in Southport with one confirmed dead
A man has been detained after a stabbing in Southport with one confirmed dead. Picture: Alamy

By Flaminia Luck

One person has died and several others have been injured following a mass stabbing after a 'Taylor Swift themed' dance party in Southport.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

At least eight victims, who are being treated for stab injuries, have been taken to three hospitals, including Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Merseyside.

Alder Hey NHS trust has declared a major incident and have asked parents to only bring children to the Emergency Department if urgent.

Merseyside Police have also declared a "critical police incident".

A man has been arrested, the force have confirmed.

The attack is thought to have taken place at a children's holiday club in a residential area.

LIVE: Multiple casualties as dozens of police and ambulances rush to 'major incident' in Southport as knifeman held

Eight patients with stab injuries have been treated at the scene and taken to hospitals including Alder Hey Children's Hospital
Eight patients with stab injuries have been treated at the scene and taken to hospitals including Alder Hey Children's Hospital. Picture: Alamy

One witness described it as a "scene in a horror movie" with mothers coming down and "screaming".

The force went on: "There are a number of reported casualties and more details will be confirmed when possible.

"Armed police have detained a male and seized a knife. He has been taken to a police station.

"Please avoid the area while we deal with this incident. There is no wider threat to the public."

Read more: Eight people - including children - treated for stab wounds after knifeman arrested in Southport after rampage

Read more: Tommy Robinson 'flees UK' after failing to appear in court over 'libellous' film shown at Trafalgar Square rally

Another local man reported seeing a mother with her wounded daughter in the aftermath of the attack. 

He said of the woman: "She was screaming 'my daughter's been stabbed'.  

"The woman was in hysterics. Then two police cars rushed up the street the other way. 

"It was a mum with her 10-year-old daughter who had been stabbed.  

"I helped to get her back up to where the police cars and ambulances were.

"She didn't look great but my focus was on getting her back up the street to get help.  

"When I got back up the street there were a couple of kids on the floor being seen to by paramedics and, as I came back, more police cars were going down and more ambulances gradually started to arrive."

Emergency services rushed to the scene
Emergency services rushed to the scene. Picture: LBC

An eyewitness tells LBC's reporter Liam Gotting that he lives behind the cordon, and he had been down to get his mother's medication.

He said: "There's just a lot of just police, standing everywhere.

"All I could see was one green bag, one green bag on the floor outside...

"All you can really see from my house is, is a green body bag on the floor. It's pretty horrible."

Police on Hart Street Southport, Merseyside, where a man was detained
Police on Hart Street Southport, Merseyside, where a man was detained. Picture: Alamy

The Prime Minister has described a stabbing in Southport as "horrendous and deeply shocking".

Sir Keir Starmer thanked emergency services for their response to what happened on Hart Street earlier.

Steve Rotheram, the mayor for the Liverpool City region, said: "Like you, I'm deeply concerned to hear about the incident in Southport this morning. 

"I have been in contact with the police and am being kept updated on the situation. 

"Please wait for official updates. Don't spread unconfirmed speculation and false information."

Emergency services remain in the area
Emergency services remain in the area. Picture: LBC

A local parent, who did not wish to be named, said his daughter was "traumatised" by the attack.  

He said: "My daughter was in it and she was traumatised.

"She ran away and she's safe."

There is a heavy police presence in the area
There is a heavy police presence in the area. Picture: LBC

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Supporters of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) demonstrate in Trafalgar Square

Woman who tried to gain asylum eight times allowed to stay in UK - after she joined terror group

Abdoulaye Doucoure of Everton argues with Curtis Jones of Liverpool during the Premier League match at Goodison Park, Liverpool.

Merseyside Mayhem: Four red cards handed out as Everton score late equaliser in last-ever derby at Goodison Park

Crowd Of Commuters Walking To Work Across London Bridge.

UK economy unexpectedly grew by 0.1% in last quarter of 2024, new figures show

Tranyelle Harshman, 32, of Wyoming, left her fourth daughter fighting for her life after going on a rampage at their home on Monday.

Mum-of-four shoots dead three young daughters before turning gun on herself

Speeding car approaching warning to slow down, on UK road

Shock figures reveal 'incredibly dangerous' speeding across UK - as one driver caught doing 122mph on 30mph road

Emergency services work near the scene of an explosion at a bar where a grenade was thrown, in Grenoble, on February 12, 2025.

At least 12 injured after man wielding assault rifle throws grenade into bar

Dorothy Chiles

Great-grandmother, 87, pictured for first time after deadly train station attack, as woman in her 20s arrested

President Donald Trump speaks on Wednesday night

Trump makes plans to meet Putin and end Ukraine war as he says 'the US wants its money back'

Exclusive
Katie Amess has spoken out about the need for an inquiry into her father's murder by an Islamist terrorist

Daughter of Sir David Amess, MP murdered by Islamist terrorist, ‘made to sign NDA’ on report into father’s death

Exclusive
Angela Rayner reveals she took advice from NHS trauma specialists ahead of Grenfell demolition meeting

Angela Rayner reveals she took advice from NHS trauma specialists ahead of Grenfell demolition meeting

Italian F1 Grand Prix - Previews

Nightclub bouncer behind £12m plot to reveal Formula One star Michael Schumacher's health secrets jailed

Josef Fritzl

Incest monster Josef Fritzl could walk free from prison next year - and expects 'cheering crowds' to greet him

Ofsted's Chief Inspector Sir Martyn Oliver supports an extension to term times

'Time to think about school holidays': Ofsted's Chief Inspector supports extending term times

Exclusive
Angela Rayner insisted that British support for Ukraine was 'unwavering'

Rayner insists UK support for Ukraine 'unwavering' despite Trump's plan for 'immediate' peace talks with Putin

Prince William, President of BAFTA, operates a film camera as he visits the London Screen Academy in London, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, Pool)

William tries his hand at being a cameraman on visit to London film academy

President Donald J. Trump participates in a bilateral meeting with the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin during the G20 Japan Summit Friday, June 28, 2019, in Osaka, Japan.

Trump and Putin 'to meet in Saudi Arabia' and 'start negotiations immediately' to end war in Ukraine