Two dead, others fighting for life after stabbing attack at Taylor Swift event in Southport, northwest England

Two children were stabbed to death and nine others have been wounded in a “major incident” in northwest England.

Armed police arrested a 17-year-old suspect and seized a knife after receiving reports of a stabbing in Southport, north of Liverpool, just before 11.50am BST on Monday.

Of the nine children wounded, six of them are in a critical condition, and two adults are also in a critical condition.

“We believe that the adults who were injured were bravely trying to protect the children,” Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said.

She said emergency services arriving at the scene found “multiple people, many of whom were children, had been subjected to a ferocious attack and had suffered serious injuries.”

The event was understood to be a Taylor Swift-themed yoga and dance workshop for children aged between six and 11.

The 17-year-old from nearby Banks remains in police custody on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.

North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) said 13 crews were dispatched to the scene along with resources from the Hazardous Area Response Team (HART), Air Ambulance and Merit Doctors following reports of “multiple stabbings”.

NWAS initially reported treating eight patients for stab wounds before they were taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Aintree University Hospital and Southport and Formby Hospital.

Alder Hey Children’s Hospital later declared a “major incident” and asked parents to “only bring their children to the Emergency Department if it is urgent”.

In an update on Monday afternoon, police said that while “enquiries are ongoing to establish the motive for this tragic incident”, the public was asked “not to speculate while the investigation is ongoing”.

“We can also confirm that the incident is not currently being treated as terror-related and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.”

‘Horror movie’

Colin Parry, who owns an auto repair shop near the site of the attack, said it was “like a scene from a horror movie”.

“It’s like something from America, not like sunny Southport,” he told PA.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the news as “horrendous and deeply shocking”, adding: “My thoughts are with all those affected. I would like to thank the police and emergency services for their swift response.”

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said she was “deeply concerned” over the incident.

“I have spoken to the Merseyside Police & Crime Commissioner to convey full support to the police & thanks to the emergency services responding,” she wrote on X.

- with AP