8 Casualties After Stabbings in Merseyside

Merseyside Police on site where a man has been detained and a knife has been seized after a number of people were injured in a reported stabbing in Southport, Merseyside, England, on July 29, 2024. (James Speakman/PA)

Eight people are being treated for stab injuries following what Merseyside Police described as a “major incident” on Monday morning, with one witness saying that there were “young girls” among the victims.

Merseyside police confirmed in a statement that emergency services had attended an incident at 11:50 a.m. in Hart Street, Southport, following reports of a stabbing.

“Armed police have detained a male and seized a knife. He has been taken to a police station,” the force said, adding, “There is no wider threat to the public.”

Police have put up a large cordon has been put up around a building in the area, with officers guarding either end.

North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) confirmed on social media platform X that eight casualties were being treated for stab injuries at Aintree University Hospital, Southport and Formby hospital, and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.

NWAS said it had dispatched 13 ambulances along with an air ambulance, doctors, and specialised resources from its Hazardous Area Response Team.

Alder Hey confirmed in a statement that the NHS trust was dealing with a major incident, asking parents to only bring their children to the Emergency Department if it is urgent.

Victims Were ‘Young Girls’

A local business owner, who was one of the people who called the police when the incident occurred, told the Press Association (PA) news agency that he believed six or seven “young girls” had been stabbed.

Colin Parry, owner of Masters Vehicle Body Repairs on Hart Street, went on to tell PA he had called police to an address in Hart Street behind The Hart Space studios.

The news service said that one of the events listed at the studio at the time of the stabbings was a Taylor Swift-themed yoga class, aimed at children aged six to 11, or school years two to six.

A local parent, who did not wish to be named, said his daughter had managed to escape the attack but was left “traumatised.”

He told the news agency, “My daughter was in it and she was traumatised. She ran away and she’s safe.”

A Hart Street resident, who also did not want to be named, described a woman pulling up outside in her car screaming and saying that her 10-year-old daughter who had been stabbed.

The witness said he helped the woman get back to the part of the street where the police cars and ambulances were, adding, “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.”

‘Horrendous and Deeply Shocking’

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the reports of the stabbings “horrendous and deeply shocking.”

Posting on X, Sir Keir said: “My thoughts are with all those affected. I would like to thank the police and emergency services for their swift response. I am being kept updated as the situation develops.”

Police on Hart Street where a man has been detained and a knife seized after a number of people were injured in a reported stabbing in Southport, Merseyside, England, on July 29, 2024 (James Speakman/PA)

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper thanks the emergency services for their “swift and courageous response,” telling the House of Commons, “All of our thoughts will be with the family and loved ones of those who are affected.”

Patrick Hurley, the Southport MP, posted on X that he was “deeply concerned by the reports coming from Merseyside Police about a major incident on Hart Street.”

Mr. Hurley continued: “I am hoping for the best possible outcomes to the casualties affected. My thoughts go out to all those affected, their loved ones and to the entire community.”

This story is developing.

PA Media contributed to this report.