Detectives have been granted more time to question the 17-year-old arrested on suspicion of the Southport knife attacks.
Merseyside Police arrested the teenager, who lives in Lancashire but was born in Cardiff, in connection with the attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance party on Monday during which three girls – Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven – were fatally stabbed.
He has not been named because of his age, and remains in custody having been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. Eight other youngsters suffered knife wounds and five are in a critical condition, alongside two adults who were also critically injured.
Rampant misinformation surrounding the incident led an angry mob of suspected EDL members to unleash a night of violence on a residential street in Southport close to where a knife attack took place.
More than 50 police officers attending the scene suffered injuries as protesters gathered outside a local mosque in what Chairman of Merseyside Police Federation Chris McGlade said was a "sustained and vicious attack". Rioters threw stones, bottles and bricks at police while members of the crowd were heard shouting "no more boats" before a police van was set on fire.
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Follow along with the latest updates below.
Liam Doyle
Minister raises alarm after people joined riots from outside Merseyside
A minister has said it is "troubling" that people joined the riots in Southport from outside Merseyside.
Matthew Pennycook, the housing minister, condemned the scenes in the seaside town last night as "absolutely appalling", adding that they have left the community "reeling" after Monday's mass stabbing in an interview with Sky News.
He said: "To have their space for them to process the trauma, to grieve, overshadowed by this violence and disorder, I think is completely despicable.
"One of the things that troubles me most is people coming in from outside Merseyside who aren't local to try and stir up public disorder, trouble."
Liam Doyle
'I was terrified at the Southport riot - but one brave moment gave me hope'
Daily Mirror news reporter Lucy Thornton was in Southport when riots erupted on Tuesday, and watched officers as they were injured in the line of duty.
She writes that she was "amazed" no one died that night as she feared for the people trapped in a local mosque that was targeted by the mob. Amid "all this terror" she said she saw "one defiant shining light, an incredibly brave woman" who was "shaking like a leaf" as she was screamed at and bricks fell around her.
'I was terrified at the Southport riot - but one brave moment gave me hope'
Liam Doyle
Southport mosque chief was trapped in building with eight others as violence erupted
Ibrahim Hussein, the chairman of Southport mosque, said he was trapped in the building with about eight other people as the violence exploded on Tuesday.
He said he only escaped at about midnight with a police guard. Mr Hussein told reporters today: “It was terrifying. It was absolutely, awful, horrendous.
“We couldn’t understand this viciousness that was going on, and even the police were taking a hammering from this lot.” Asked if he thought the far-right had hijacked his town, Mr Hussein said: “Naturally. This is a beautiful town.
“We’ve lived here 30 years, no bother at all. We love this community. The community loves us. We don’t have any issues.”
Liam Doyle
Tributes encircle Southport music venue
Tributes remembering the three girls who died in Monday's stabbings now encircle a local music venue in Southport.
Pictures show rows on rows of flowers at the Atkinson Centre, a local arts venue, in a square outside the building. The pictures show people clearly upset at the scene as the town continues to mourn.
Liam Doyle
Green Party condemns 'fascist thugs' in Southport
The Green Party has condemned the rioting by “fascist thugs” in Southport.
Amanda Onwuemene, the party’s spokesperson for policing and domestic safety, said: “The far-right is using disinformation around the horrific murders of children in Southport to do what it always does: spread hatred and fear.
“The attacks on a mosque and police by fascist thugs yesterday are an appalling violation of a community that has already suffered a devastating blow. The Green Party condemns this violence and stands in solidarity with the people of Southport against those who seek to divide it.”
KEY EVENT
'Professional rioters' seen taking taxis to Southport
Devastated locals have told how ‘professional rioters’ came from out of town with a change of clothes to evade detection by police after violent scenes erupted in Southport last night.
One man, who asked not to be named told the Mirror: “They weren’t from around here. They’re just thugs who came in to cause as much destruction as possible.
“They tried to tear down my friend’s wall for bricks and he came out to stop them. People from here all helped him to stop them and keep them away but they punched him and then ran into an alleyway. They all had a change of clothes that they had brought with them. They’re just professional rioters who came for no other reason than to cause trouble.”
'Professional rioters' seen taking taxis to Southport with 'change of clothes'
KEY EVENT
Ex Scot First Minister calls on Home Secretary to proscribe EDL
Humza Yousuf, the former Scottish First Minister, has called on the Home Secretary to proscribe the English Defence League as a terrorist organisation.
He made the call following last night's incident in Southport in a letter to Yvette Cooper. In the note, he told the minister she needed to deal with the UK's "far-right problem".
He wrote: "It is time we took on the English Defence League and the evil ideology that drives them. One of the immediate steps, in your gift as Home Secretary, is to proscribe the English Defence League, and their proxies, under the Terrorism Act 2000.”
He added that such action would not provide an “overnight fix”, but would demonstrate the Government’s intention to be “proactive in tackling far-right violence and terror that has been allowed to run rampant in the streets of the UK for far too long”.
Liam Doyle
Mum of stabbing victim condemns riot violence
The mum of Elsie Dot Stancombe, one of the three girls killed in the horror stabbing spree on Monday, condemned the violence seen in the Merseyside town yesterday with a post on Facebook.
Jennifer Sephton pleaded with rioters to stop the violence in an unequivocal Facebook post last night, stating that the "heroic" police and local community "don't need this".
She wrote: "This is the only thing that I will write, but please please stop the violence in Southport tonight. The police have been nothing but heroic these last 24 hours and they and we don't need this."
Liam Doyle
Southport community rallies around shop owner looted during disorder
Shop owner Chanaka Balasuryla said the Southport community has rallied around him since his store was looted during the disorder.
Mr Balasuryla said he called 999 after spotting men trying to smash their way in, on the CCTV camera from his home five minutes away. He said he was “terrified” when he thought they would set fire to the premises because there is a woman and her daughter living in a flat above.
He said he later found out that the woman confronted the raiders, telling them it was her shop in an attempt to stop them. He added: “I got a couple of hours’ sleep and then got a phone call saying ‘You need to come down, there’s lots of people waiting to help. It was terrifying last night. But I feel safe again because people are here to protect us."
Liam Doyle
Hero nurse targeted in 1996 nursery attacks speaks of heartbreak over Southport killings
A hero nursery nurse who saved children from a machete thug during a chillingly similar attack to the Southport stabbings has spoken of her "heartbreak" over the tragedy.
Lisa Potts was severely injured after a knifeman went on the rampage following a teddy bear's picnic at St Luke’s Primary School in Wolverhampton in 1996. Paranoid schizophrenic Horrett Campbell began indiscriminately attacking kids and adults with a blade - in what was the last case of its kind in 28 years until Monday's tragic events.
Lisa, who was 21 at the time, was among three adults who were injured along with three infant class pupils on July 8, 1996. Now 49, the charity worker from Wolverhampton, said: "It's absolutely heartbreaking to hear about this shocking incident. I'm lost for words that something like this can be happening.
"My heart is breaking and my thoughts go out to the families of the children who have gone, those left with life-changing injuries and to the whole Southport community. I can't express just how sad I am. In our situation all those years ago we were thankful that there were no deaths although there was much trauma to deal with in the aftermath."
KEY EVENT
EDL members used Southport tragedy to 'whip up hatred' officials claim
Merseyside’s Police and Crime Commissioner has said there is a “strong feeling” that members of the English Defence League have used the Southport stabbing to “whip up hatred”.
Emily Spurrell told ITV’s Good Morning Britain that the “violence and abuse” towards police officers on Tuesday was “utterly abhorrent and completely unacceptable”.
She said: “(Merseyside Police) will be reviewing the footage of exactly who was there last night, they have been monitoring the online activity as well, trying to understand who was doing what.
“They have said that they believe it was members of the English Defence League (EDL), they don’t believe it was individuals from the local area.
“There is a strong feeling that there are individuals like the EDL, who have been using this incredibly tragic event to whip up hatred, incite violence, and that’s the result of what we saw last night.
“There is a strong sense that this is people who have come from out-of-area simply to create violence and abuse against officers and towards a community who are not in any way accepting of this behaviour.”
Liam Doyle
Local residents help Southport mosque rebuild after building targeted by rioters
Dozens of local residents have turned up outside the Southport mosque targeted by rioters yesterday armed with brushes and shovels this morning to help with the clean-up operation.
Norman Wallis, chief executive of Southport Pleasureland, who was helping at the junction of Sussex Road and St Luke’s Road, said it was partly in response to a social media plea he put out after witnessing the violence on Tuesday evening.
Mr Wallis said: “There are hundreds of people who have responded, and we’ve ended up with lots of people down here today, all from the local community and helping with the fantastic clean-up.”
He added: “It’s horrendous what those hooligans have done last night. It was like a war scene. People from out of town just causing absolute mayhem. People in hoods climbing up lampposts, throwing bricks, they set a police car on fire.
“But none of those people were the people of Southport. The people of Southport are the ones here today cleaning the mess up. Those people from out of town – they came in in buses and cars and had change of clothes. They just started to riot and do this.”
Liam Doyle
Brave woman stands up to jeering Southport thugs with powerful message
A woman has been pictured standing up to a mob of jeering rioters in Southport with a powerful message of peace during a night of violence.
Rioters looted, burnt vehicles and hurled deadly missiles at police in Southport for hours last night after misinformation was spread online about the identity of the suspect arrested over the stabbing at a children's dance class that killed three little girls.
A major incident was declared after hundreds took to the streets leaving more than 50 officers injured including police dogs. Many were hurt by flying bricks with dozens of officers having to be led away from rioters to get treatment. One male officer appeared to have a head injury as he was driven for hospital treatment. A police riot van, mosque fencing, a pink car and a minimarket was looted during the violence, which has been met with widespread condemnation from locals.
Brave woman stands up to yelling Southport thugs with powerful message of hope
Liam Doyle
Jo Cox's husband condemns Nigel Farage as 'nothing better than a Tommy Robinson in a suit'
Brendan Cox, the husband of murdered MP Jo Cox, has said Nigel Farage is “nothing better than Tommy Robinson in a suit” after his comments about the Southport stabbings.
He said Mr Farage's comments in a social media video posted following the shock stabbings on Monday were "right out of the Trump playbook". The Reform politician has questioned official police reports around the incident, claiming he was asking a "fair and legitimate question".
But reacting to the comments, Mr Cox told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme it makes the controversial politician no better than Tommy Robinson. He said: “It’s right out of the Trump playbook, and in my view, it makes Nigel Farage nothing better than a Tommy Robinson in a suit.
“It is beyond the pale to use a moment like this to spread your narrative and to spread your hatred, and we saw the results on Southport’s streets last night.”
Nigel Farage branded 'Tommy Robinson in a suit' over Southport video
Tim Hanlon
Locals join clean-up efforts following riots
Residents were up all night trying to clear their streets after rioters turned them into a "war zone."
A road full of rubble and rubbish could be seen in Southport with riot police watching on following the violence. Nearly 40 police officers sustained injuries and 27 were taken to hospital as chaos broke out on Tuesday as protestors met up following the frenzied stabbing attack at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club.
After calm was finally restored the extent of the chaos could be seen with rubbish burnt out vehicles and smashed windows but locals have been quick to get involved in the clean-up. One local said: “At least the bin men don’t have to empty the bins today - they’ve all been burnt.”
Locals join clean-up operation after EDL chaos with 40 police injured
Liam Doyle
'Police are not robots' federation chief condemns violent riots
Chris McGlade, the Chairman of Merseyside Police Federation, condemned the "sustained and vicious attack" on officers on Tuesday.
He said in a statement that the "very same" officers who handled Monday's horror incident still "coming to terms" with what happened were among those on the ground. The chief said: “Merseyside is reeling from an unimaginable tragedy. An incident that has left us all shocked as human beings. We are equally shocked as police officers.
“The very same courageous officers who are themselves trying to come to terms with what has happened in Southport this week came under a sustained and vicious attack last night. It is utterly disgusting that more than 50 police officers were injured.
"Brave colleagues have been left with fractures, lacerations, a suspected broken nose and concussion. I utterly condemn the actions of these mindless and violent thugs – and they will be brought to justice for their actions. The federation are supporting our injured colleagues at this horrific time and send them our best wishes – as I know the rest of the country will do.
“Police officers are not robots. We are mothers and fathers. Sons and daughters. Husbands, wives and partners. We should be going home at the end of our shifts. Not to hospital.”
Liam Doyle
Southport MP condemns 'propaganda and lies' that sparked riots
Patrick Hurley, the MP for Southport said the riots in the town on Tuesday night occurred because of the “propaganda and lies” spread on social media about the identity of the attacker.
He told Times Radio: “Because of the propaganda and the lies that were being spread around on social media from within minutes of the news breaking on Monday afternoon about the tragic incident.
“We’d had all sorts of lies being spread and misinformation being spread about the alleged perpetrator and some people with the best of intentions then they tried to rebut this, they tried to argue back, but all that happens is you’re just amplifying people’s false messaging.”
He added: “This misinformation doesn’t just exist on people’s internet browsers and on people’s phones. It has real world impact.
“And what happened is that the real world impact of that was that we then had hundreds of people descending on the town, descending on Southport from outside of the area, intent on causing trouble, either because they believe what they’ve written, or because they are bad faith actors who wrote it in the first place, in the hope of causing community division.”
Tim Hanlon
Locals join in major clean-up operation today
This morning the clear up is ongoing in Southport.
The riot van has already been removed from the scene. One local said: “At least the bin men don’t have to empty the bins today - they’ve all been burnt.”
Andy Southwood, 54,local businessman, said: “I didn’t sleep much last night. In half an hour it exploded. It was chaotic. Mainly young kids with masks. It looked organised to me. It’s crazy. It’s a massive stain on the town.”
But he pointed out locals were up through the night cleaning up. “Random people are coming out with shovels and spades to help clean up. That’s the true spirit of Southport,” he added.
KEY EVENT
Southport rioters will feel ‘full force of the law’, says Prime Minister
Violence against police in Southport after three girls were killed in a knife attack has been condemned, as Sir Keir Starmer said rioters would “feel the full force of the law”.
Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, were all fatally stabbed at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club in the Merseyside seaside town on Monday.
Eight other children suffered stab wounds and five are in a critical condition, alongside two adults who were also critically injured, police said. The Prime Minister said rioters in Southport on Tuesday evening had “hijacked” a vigil for victims and would “feel the full force of the law”.
Writing on X, Sir Keir said: “The people of Southport are reeling after the horror inflicted on them yesterday. They deserve our support and our respect. Those who have hijacked the vigil for the victims with violence and thuggery have insulted the community as it grieves.”
Tim Hanlon
Merseyside Police urges people with details or footage of disorder to get in contact
Merseyside Police urged anyone with information on the disorder or who has video footage of those involved to contact the force.
Assistant Chief Constable, Alex Goss, said: “Merseyside Police has faced serious violence in Southport and I am so proud to have witnessed off-duty officers (many of whom had not long finished a full shift) parade back on duty to support their colleagues who had displayed such courage whilst under constant and sustained attack.
“I would also like to thank officers from Greater Manchester Police, Cheshire Police, Lancashire Police and North Wales Police who also provided mutual aid and support.
“Sadly, offenders have destroyed garden walls so they could use the bricks to attack our officers and have set cars belonging to the public on fire, and damaged cars parked in the mosque car park.”
He added: “This is no way to treat a community, least of all a community that is still reeling from the events of Monday.”
KEY EVENT
Shocking 39 police officers injured in riot update
The total number of police officers injured in the violent riot on Tuesday night has been updated by the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS).
NWAS stood down the Major Incident that was declared around 1.30am, after the sheer number of injuries among police officers caused more than 10 ambulances to flood the scene in Southport. Reinforcements from nearby forces were also called in during the hours-long street battle.
In their update, the ambulance service said: "NWAS stood down from major incident at 01:25 on Wednesday July 31. We treated 39 patients in total, all of which were police officers. 27 were taken to hospital and 12 were treated and discharged at scene.
"A small number of resources will remain at the scene on St Luke’s Road to continue to support police colleagues. We'd like to thank the many NWAS staff and other emergency service colleagues who have worked extremely hard over the last few hours in response to the disturbance."
William Morgan
22 officers and 3 police dogs injured
At least 22 officers and three police dogs were injured in the hours-long battle between EDL thugs and Merseyside Police on the streets of Southport.
Around midnight, with much of the violent crowd now dispersed, authorities issued an update on the status of their officers after they faced a hail of bricks, bottles, and wheelie bins. Over a third of their injured officers experienced lacerations, fractures and serious facial injuries in the EDL brawl.
Police also confirmed that three police dogs had been injured by the rioters, with two having bricks thrown at them and another being burnt on the back of its legs.
Rioters are also said to have set residents' cars on fire, as well as throwing bricks at a local mosque and damaging a corner shop.
Until 8pm tomorrow, Merseyside Police have a Section 60 Order in place, which will give them greater powers to disperse crowds until 8pm tomorrow. In the meantime, neighbouring police forces have sent in further officers to help reassure the community.
A Section 34 Order has also been introduced under the Anti-Social Behaviour & Policing Act 2014, giving officers powers to direct people who are engaging in antisocial behaviour or are likely to become involved in such incidents. These powers will not be used for anyone visiting the area and going about their daily business.
Under the legislation, officers have the power to seize any item, including vehicles, used in the commission of anti-social behaviour. Should a person who has previously been directed to leave the area return, an offence would be committed, which they may ultimately be arrested for.
Assistant Chief Constable Alex Goss said: “Tonight, Merseyside Police has faced serious violence in Southport and I am so proud to have witnessed off-duty officers (many of whom had not long finished a full shift) parade back on duty to support their colleagues who had displayed such courage whilst under constant and sustained attack. I would also like to thank officers from Greater Manchester Police, Cheshire Police, Lancashire Police and North Wales Police who also provided mutual aid and support.
“Sadly, offenders have destroyed garden walls so they could use the bricks to attack our officers and have set cars belonging to the public on fire, and damaged cars parked in the Mosque car park.
“This is no way to treat a community, least of all a community that is still reeling from the events of Monday.
“We would appeal to anyone who has information or video footage of those involved in this shocking behaviour to come forward so we can identify and arrest those responsible.
“Anyone with information can DM @MerPolCC or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas
Scenes of devastation on streets of Southport
Local people have spoken of their horror at the rioting in Southport on Tuesday night, which they say has inflicted even more pain on an already hurting town.
Liverpool’s Mayor Steve Rotheram was one of many to issue a plea for calm on social media.
In a statement he said: “There are families just coming to terms with yesterday’s events, parents grieving for their murdered children and survivors still trying to process what they witnessed.
"The violent scenes in Southport tonight will only further traumatise a community that is already struggling to come to terms with this attack.
“Mindless violence directed at the very people who ran towards the danger yesterday, and outright Islamaphobia, only distract from the work of delivering justice.
“The real story tonight is of the thousands who gathered at the vigil in Southport in memory of Bebe, Elsie and Alice. For the sake of their loved ones, this disorder needs to stop so the police do their jobs.”
Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas
Police ask public to share any information about rioters
Merseyside Police's Assistant Chief Constable Alex Goss described tonight's disorder as "sickening" - and appealed to members of the public to share any information they might have about the incident.
He said: "If you have any information on this incident or saw what happened, please contact our social media desk on Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook 'Merseyside Police Contact Centre'.
"You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their online form."
Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas
New photos show streets wrecked by rioters
Photographs taken at the scene by the Mirror's Lucy Thornton late tonight show the streets left devastated by EDL rioters.
Vehicles were burnt, bricks thrown and police officers injured amid the disorder on Tuesday evening, which police believe was largely perpetrated by people from outside the town.
Zahra Khaliq
What is happening in Southport right now?
Mirror reporter Lucy Thornton, who is in Southport this evening, says a huge police presence remains in the area following the violent clash, which saw bricks thrown at a mosque and a number of police officers injured.
The area surrounding the mosque is incredibly loud, she says, as a helicopter continues to fly above the scene with police dogs on hand and the smell of smoke lingering in the air.
Lucy adds: "You've got a for sale sign, bricks and wheelie bins strewn across the road, and in people's front gardens.
"Officers seem to have gained control of the area around the mosque with rioters pushed back, but there are waves coming and going.
"Reinforcements are also coming in, but I've seen a couple more police officers injured. Something is alight to the left, but I cannot see what it is.
"The protesters are quite well organised. They're in the middle of a junction, and there's four different roads. When one road goes quiet, they're running around the back and joining and reinforcing the others.
"Riot police are on all sides, on four streets in the area, almost protecting the mosque. There are six police vans in front of me.
"They've pushed rioters away from the mosque, but of course, it's so hard because there's four different streets they can come down to try and get at it."
Paul Byrne
Muslim man's powerful eight-word message to EDL rioters
A Muslim man in Southport had an eight-word message for far-right thugs bringing violence and vandalism to heartbroken Southport.
Yilmaz Nasuh watched in abject horror as riots flared outside his home in the town on Tuesday night, saying, "this is not love, this is not humanity - this is sad".
Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas
Keir Starmer says rioters will face 'full force of the law'
In a statement released in the last few moments, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: "The people of Southport are reeling after the horror inflicted on them yesterday.
"They deserve our support and our respect.
"Those who have hijacked the vigil for the victims with violence and thuggery have insulted the community as it grieves.
"They will feel the full force of the law."
Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas
Local mosque network speaks of 'distressing scenes' in Southport
The Liverpool mosque network said it is horrified "by the heinous acts" committed against children and adults who attended a dance class at The Hart Space in Southport on Monday.
It added: "This is an attack against society, irrespective of faith or background."
The statement continued: "A minority of people are attempting to portray that this inhumane act is somehow related to the Muslim community. Frankly it is not, and we must not let those who seek to divide us and spread hatred use this as an opportunity.
"This evening, we have seen distressing scenes outside Southport Mosque with angry protestors, gathering outside. This is causing further fear and anxiety within our communities. We must all unite and stand together against all forms of hate, violence and division.
"We thank Merseyside Police, Metro Mayor Steve Rotherham, and other political and community leaders for their outstanding response to this tragedy and their continued support for communities across the region during this difficult time."
Paul Byrne
Locals speak of heartbreak at EDL bringing violence to devastated town
At least five officers have been injured and a police riot van was set ablaze after EDL supporters descended on Southport this evening.
Yobs demolished garden walls and used the bricks to pelt police.
Locals have now hit out at the shameful displays as police were left picking up the pieces in an already devastated town.
Yilmaz Nasuh, 55, a Muslim born in Turkey, watched the riot unfold from his home. He told The Mirror: “My first thought is that the people who lost their loved ones yesterday are having to deal with this insult on top of their sorrow.
“I’m seeing an organised criminal riot. I’m feeling that I’ve been here 40 years and this isn’t the British experience. This is something alien. This is not love, this is not humanity. This is sad. I just feel so bad for the parents having to deal with this too. They live here. This is all I can think of.”
