EIGHT people, including children, were stabbed on a residential street – with armed police descending on the “major incident”.
Officers were called to a property on Hart Street, Southport, at around 11.50am today – with mothers’ screams heard at the scene described as “like a horror film”.
A man was detained and a knife seized after several people were injured, Merseyside Police said.
Photos show marked police cars parked at Meols High School.
The North West Ambulance Service confirmed eight patients have been treated so far and taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Aintree University Hospital and Southport and Formby Hospital.
Police warned people to avoid the area but said there was no wider threat to the public.
A local business owner, who was one of the people who called police, said the incident looked like a “scene from a horror movie.”
Colin Parry, owner of Masters Vehicle Body Repairs on Hart Street, said: “Mums are coming here now and screaming.
“It’s like a scene from a horror movie.”
“The police caught him,” he added.
“It’s like something from America, not like sunny Southport.”
What we know so far…
- At least eight people, including children, were injured
- Armed police were called to the scene in Hart Street, Southport, at 11.50am.
- A man was arrested and a knife seized
- The patients were taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Aintree University Hospital and Southport and Formby Hospital.
- A “serious incident” has been declared at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital
A local father, who did not want to be named, said his daughter was “traumatized” by the attack.
He said: “My daughter was there and was traumatised. She ran away and is safe.”
Witnesses reported seeing around 20 police cars and several ambulances, as well as a helicopter circling overhead.
One resident told the Liverpool ECHO they locked their doors and windows to “stay safe”.
Others reported hearing “a lot of sirens” and the entire street is behind a police cordon.
A statement from Merseyside Police said: “There are a number of casualties reported and further details will be confirmed when possible.
“Armed police detained a man and seized a knife. He was taken to a police station.
“Please avoid the area while we deal with this incident. There is no wider threat to the public.”
The force previously said: “We can confirm that emergency services are in Southport following a major incident this morning, Monday 29 July.
“At around 11.50am we were called to a property on Hart Street to reports of a stabbing.
“There are a number of casualties reported and further details will be confirmed when possible.
“Armed police detained a man and seized a knife. He was taken to a police station.
“Please avoid the area while we deal with this incident. There is no wider threat to the public.”
A spokesperson for the North West Ambulance Service said: “We are responding to a major incident in Hart Street, Southport, following reports of a number of stabbings to which we have sent a number of resources.
“We are assessing the situation and working with emergency partners.”
An ambulance spokesperson said: “The North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) is responding to a major incident following a call at 11.48am to Hart Street in Southport following reports of multiple stabbings.
“We sent 13 ambulances along with specialist resources from our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART), Air Ambulance and Merit Doctors to the scene.
“So far, NWAS has treated eight patients with stab wounds who have been taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Aintree University Hospital and Southport and Formby hospital.”
Alder Hey Children’s Hospital said: “We can confirm that the trust has declared a serious incident.
“The trust is working with other emergency services to respond to this incident and our emergency department is extremely busy at the moment.
“We ask parents to only take their children to the emergency room if it is urgent.
“All other appointments and services are operating normally.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the incident was “horrific and deeply shocking” as he thanked the emergency services for their response.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said she was “deeply concerned” as Alder Hey declared a serious incident and asked parents not to take their children to A&E unless it was urgent.
Southport MP Patrick Hurley said he was “deeply concerned” by the reports coming from Merseyside Police.
In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, he said: “I am deeply concerned by reports coming from Merseyside Police of a major incident on Hart Street in Southport today.
“I hope for the best possible outcomes for the affected victims.
“My thoughts go out to everyone affected, their loved ones and the entire community.
“Police have confirmed that an individual involved in the attack has now been detained.
“I am repeating police advice to avoid the area whilst police and ambulance crews support this incident.”
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story