Children lay flowers and teddy bears at Southport stabbing scene as tributes mount

As the sun set on Southport’s Hart Street yesterday evening, scores of people, young and old, came to lay flowers near the site of the horrific attack on a children’s dance and yoga event. A little girl left a pink unicorn among the flowers, a poignant reminder of the youth and innocence of those targeted in the attack.

Several people wept as they spoke to reporters, shaking their heads in disbelief that such a violent act could take place in this safe and peaceful area. Debbie, who grew up on one of the neighboring streets and recently moved back to the area, headed to the scene with her daughter Madison to lay flowers just behind the police cordon.

She fought back tears as she spoke about what happened, telling the ECHO: “It doesn’t seem real. It feels like America, not Southport. I grew up around here and it’s a normal, nice, safe place.”

At a police press conference on Monday, Police Chief Serena Kennedy confirmed that the attack on Hart Street left two children dead. Nine other children were injured, six of them seriously. Two adults were also described as being in a critical condition.

The heroism of the adults who allegedly stepped in during the attack to help protect the children made a deep impression on Debbie and her daughter. She said: “We were so moved by the beautiful ladies who were doing everything they could to protect those poor children. I hope we will do the same under those circumstances. We had to come here to show them support.”

A number of people who were at the scene yesterday evening knew the families affected by the tragedy and wanted to come down in person to pay their respects. A man hugged his two daughters tightly as they left flowers at the scene. He said, “We had to come. My friend’s little boy died. It’s horrible, that’s all I can say.”

Several parents in the area told us that they still haven’t had the heart to tell their children what happened. A father, who did not want to be named, laid flowers on Hart Street alongside his friend. He told us: “One of the girls who died was in my little boy’s class. I haven’t told him yet. I feel numb. It’s just awful. I do not understand.”

One neighbor said it was an “attack on innocence”. She added: “I felt I had to come here. We had to show that we care about the children and their families. And that we suffer too. It’s heartbreaking.”

Bethan Kirk, who was at the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017, said the attack brought back memories of that terrible evening. She said: “It brings back a lot of trauma. I’m afraid. It’s absolutely mean. They were just children. They went to a club where they were supposed to be safe.”

Several people spoke about the importance of the community coming together to deal with the tragedy. Belinda, who laid flowers at the scene with her sister Kayla, told the ECHO: “We need to show everyone that Southport is one big family after this.” She added: “When I heard what happened I was in absolute shock. I had to stop what I was doing at work and get home. I couldn’t concentrate. Those poor children. It’s beyond belief.”

The investigation is in its early stages and a motive is unclear. Counter-terrorism has provided support, but it is not currently being treated as terror-related, police said.