“We welcome and acknowledge the findings of the Southport Inquiry Phase 1 report, published today following the inquiry which was conducted by Sir Adrian Fulford last year. “The report assesses the response of a range of local and national agencies which had prior contact with the perpetrator. “It also looks at the Merseyside Police response on the day of the incident itself. “The force accepts learning set out in the report in relation to the initial response on the day of the attack and will be considering the recommendations in the coming days. Importantly, the report does stress that the response as a whole was well managed and displayed effective inter-agency liaison, and the matters raised for learning did not impact on the response provided on the day. “Merseyside Police will always learn from incidents and take action to improve the service it provides to the people of Merseyside. “In relation to Major incidents and JESIP principles we have regular training sessions with our emergency service partners and will stress at all of these the need for clarity in communication between partners, including the North West Ambulance Service, from control room to room. “However, it is clear that emergency service resources (police and ambulance), on the ground on the day of the incident, were in attendance promptly, were updated on the current situation and knew it was safe for non-police emergency services to be in attendance.” “In terms of the 2019 investigation following the arrest of AR at the Range High School, which resulted in him being charged, we acknowledge the recommendation in respect of communication –between different police organisations we will work together with other policing organisations to ensure this is resolved. “We appreciate that the inquiry recognised the bravery of the first police officers and Police Community Support Officer who first attended at the Hart Space. The report states, “They did not know that he would surrender when challenged; they did not even know that he was alone. Their courage in entering a stairwell, against the advice of those who had seen how AR was armed and how he was behaving, is worthy of the highest praise.” “Finally, I want to stress that our thoughts remain with the families of Alice, Bebe and Elsie, and those who were injured and traumatised by the events at the Hart Space on 29 July 2024. “It is incumbent on all the organisations referred to by the inquiry to act on the recommendations made to ensure everything possible is done to prevent this from happening again. “Following the tragic incident the families of Alice, Bebe and Elsie found themselves facing unimaginable trauma and distress, but somehow they have managed to find the strength to ensure that their daughters’ names are recognised for good, and not solely associated with the tragedy. “They have worked tirelessly to ensure that their daughters’ legacies live on as a result of the positive work they are doing to help others, and I commend them for making sure that others will be helped as a result of the work they are doing in their daughter’s names.”

💗

Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims and emergency services partners have spoken at a press conference tonight following the incident on Water Street in Liverpool city centre. Read their full statements here: orlo.uk/q5Bkf

Today, Axel Rudakubana has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 52-years for his cowardly and terrifying attack on the young girls and adults at Hart Space on 29th July 2024. We want to pay tribute to Bebe, Elsie and Alice, who will never be forgotten, and the children and adults who suffered serious injuries, and those young victims who were severely traumatised by what they witnessed on that day. Although no outcome at court could possibly ease the pain and trauma for the victims and their families, we hope that knowing he will now spend a considerable amount of time in prison will bring them some comfort.

COURT UPDATE AXEL RUDAKUBANA| Axel Rudakubana, aged 18, from Banks in Lancashire has today (Monday 20 January 2025) pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to all 16 counts he was charged with. They were three charges of murder; 10 charges of attempted murder and one charge of possession of a knife - all relating to the incident at Hart Street, Southport on 29 July 2024. He was additionally charged on 29 October with production of a biological toxin, namely ricin, contrary to Section 1 of the Biological Weapons Act 1974; and possessing information, namely a pdf file entitled “Military Studies in the Jihad Against the Tyrants: The Al-Qaeda Training Manual” of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism, contrary to Section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000. Following his guilty pleas, Rudakubana was remanded in custody to appear at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday 23 January for sentencing. The hearing is due to start at 11am.

WATCH: Our Chief Constable Serena Kennedy has spoken at a press conference following a decision by the @CPSUK to charge Axel Rudakubana with further offences. The criminal proceedings against Axel Rudakubana are active and therefore it is extremely important that there is no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings. Following the charges today, our Chief Constable took part in a press conference to confirm the charges and reassure our communities. Please watch the video in full so that you are as informed as possible but avoid speculation as we must let the court process runs its course. We owe that to the victims. Please be aware that, as this case is ongoing and court proceedings are active, comments have been switched off.

Three men have been sentenced in separate incidents of hate crime-related offences and selling fake football tickets. Steven Dodd, John Gill and Barnaby Dodsworth appeared in court for their respective offences. More here: orlo.uk/Ls4vV

Tonight, the first episode of a new four-part documentary series ‘Merseyside Detectives: The Murders of Ashley and Olivia’ will air on @Channel4. The series, by @LAProductionsUK will give you a behind the scenes look at our work during the devastating murders of 28-year-old Ashley Dale and nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel in August 2022. Our thoughts continue to be, and will forever remain with, the families of Ashley and Olivia and anyone else affected by the tragedies. The series, which features Olivia and Ashley’s families, is a hard, emotional watch, which shows the police response from the first call received to the first responders attending, through to the investigations and subsequent convictions of the offenders. If you need any support, please contact Victim Care Merseyside here: victimcaremerseyside.org Merseyside Detectives will air at 9pm every night until Thursday.