Watch: Southport stabbing police press conference in full

Police confirm two children dead and several injured in Southport stabbingReuters

Transcript

00:00It is with great sadness today I'm here to advise that two children have died as

00:06a result of the injuries sustained in this morning's knife attack. Nine other

00:11children have been injured and six of them are in a critical condition. All

00:16those injured have suffered stab wounds sustained during the attack and two

00:21adults are also in a critical condition after being injured during the incident.

00:26A 17 year old male from Banks in Lancashire who is originally from Cardiff

00:33has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder and he's been taken

00:38to a police station where he will be interviewed by detectives. My officers

00:43were called to reports of a stabbing at 11.47 this morning and at address in

00:48Southport. When they arrived they were shocked to find that multiple people

00:54many of whom were children had been subjected to a ferocious attack and had

00:59suffered serious injuries. It is understood that the children were

01:03attending a Taylor Swift event at a dance school when the offender armed

01:08with a knife walked into the premises and started to attack inside the

01:13children. We believe that the adults who were injured were bravely trying to

01:18protect the children who were being attacked. As a mum and a nana I can't

01:25begin to imagine the pain and suffering that the families of the victims are

01:30going through at this moment in time and I wish to send my heartfelt condolences

01:35to them. Our specialist family liaison officers are providing support to the

01:41families of the deceased children and the children who were injured at this

01:44moment in time and we'll be working with our partners including Sefton Council to

01:50provide that wider trauma support to those who've been affected by this

01:54incident. The investigation is in its early stages and the motivation for the

02:00incident remains unclear. However Counterterrorism Police North West have

02:05offered their support to Merseyside Police as the full circumstances of what

02:09has happened are being established. At this moment in time the investigation is

02:14not being treated as terrorist related. I would appeal to anyone who's witnessed

02:20anything or who has information that could help us the investigation to

02:25contact us on Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 and anyone who's been affected by

02:32this incident can contact Victim Care Merseyside Service for help and support.

02:37Our hub of locally trained staff are here to provide free and emotional

02:42support and practical tailored advice to you. You can contact the Victim Care

02:48Hub Merseyside on 0808 175 3080