Teenager to appear in court charged in connection with Southport knife attack
He's appearing before magistrates this morning
Last updated 1st Aug 2024
A teenager is appearing in court later charged in connection with a knife attack in Southport in which three children died.
Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, were fatally stabbed on Monday.
Eight other children suffered knife wounds - with five of them in a critical condition - while two adults were also critically hurt.
A 17-year-old boy from Banks - who can't be named for legal reasons - will appear at Liverpool City Magistrates' Court this morning.
Both the police and prosecutors have warned the public about online speculation. 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.
"Our thoughts remain with the families of all of those affected by these harrowing events."
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister will host senior police leaders in Downing Street on Thursday afternoon in the wake of violent unrest in Southport on Tuesday night
He is expected to remind the police that people "exploit" the right to protest in order to "sow hatred" or commit "violent acts" should be met with "the full force of the law".
Violent clashes with police in the town resulted in 50 officers being injured, and a police van was set on fire.
There has since been scenes on unrest in other parts of the country last night, including in London where hundreds of arrests were made.
Sir Keir Starmer will also commit to working in partnership with police forces across the UK to stop "mindless violence" following scenes of unrest in Southport, London, Hartlepool and elsewhere.