to offer everyone reporting on it and the police, bacon sandwiches, just to offer some support in reporting and trying to police such a horrendous thing that has happened. i think that will, that is a sign of the type of area this is, that coming together of the community. that coming together of the community-— that coming together of the community. that coming together of the communi . ,, , community. stay with us, as you can see there is — community. stay with us, as you can see there is a _ community. stay with us, as you can see there is a huge _ community. stay with us, as you can see there is a huge media _ community. stay with us, as you can see there is a huge media presencel see there is a huge media presence here. journalists notjust from the uk but from around the world. i still standing next to mejust uk but from around the world. i still standing next to me just now, a crew from seven use in australia. this awful, awful tragedy yesterday is resonating around the world. so many people around the world who are parents would take their children to events like this, as we said. a 17—year—old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. i want to talk now to david spencer... he is a former

metropolitan police officer and head of crime and justice. the police not saying a lot at the moment but what will the detectives to be doing now? it will be some time before we get anything formalfrom the it will be some time before we get anything formal from the police, i would imagine. this four be a meticulous investigation. it will have been going on through the night, as you would expect. we have talked about the huge forensic examination going on at the moment. what we try to do is piece together what happened in the minutes, hours, days and weeks leading up to this horrible event and try to understand what has gone on and why. the? horrible event and try to understand what has gone on and why. they have a susect what has gone on and why. they have a suspect in — what has gone on and why. they have a suspect in custody, _ what has gone on and why. they have a suspect in custody, i _ what has gone on and why. they have a suspect in custody, i assume - what has gone on and why. they have a suspect in custody, i assume now. a suspect in custody, i assume now thatis a suspect in custody, i assume now that is the time when they will be looking into the background of that

suspect and may be things like his mental health?— mental health? that's right, that will be well _ mental health? that's right, that will be well over _ mental health? that's right, that will be well over requiring - mental health? that's right, that will be well over requiring the . will be well over requiring the police will be following and also, as is the way with every investigation now, there will be forensic examination of electronic devices, of his home. so there will be a very, very detailed investigation to try to understand as far as humanly possible the background and motivation the person responsible has. on one of the things that is interesting is, the police come under a lot of criticism, we hear that quite frequently. one of the important things to know is that british policing really does excel at this sort of incident and investigating the sorts of matters, very serious crimes. british policing is the best in the world at it and i have no doubt this investigation will be thorough and meticulous and no doubt we will find out more as it

progresses. we will find out more as it progresses-_ we will find out more as it progresses. we will find out more as it rouresses. ~ , ., _ we will find out more as it rouresses. ~ , ., ., progresses. and we should say, of course, progresses. and we should say, of course. that _ progresses. and we should say, of course, that incidents _ progresses. and we should say, of course, that incidents like - progresses. and we should say, of course, that incidents like this - progresses. and we should say, of course, that incidents like this are | course, that incidents like this are extremely rare, aren't they? that's riuht. extremely rare, aren't they? that's riht. it extremely rare, aren't they? that's riuht. it is extremely rare, aren't they? that's right. it is cold _ extremely rare, aren't they? that's right. it is cold comfort, _ extremely rare, aren't they? that's right. it is cold comfort, it - extremely rare, aren't they? that's right. it is cold comfort, it will - right. it is cold comfort, it will be no comfort at all to the families and those living in southport that they are very, very rare indeed. many of us will remember the tragedy of dunblane and wolverhampton, but these incidents stick in the mind and we remember them, partly because they are so incredibly rare. but thatis they are so incredibly rare. but that is different and nice crime more generally —— knife crime more generally, where particularly children are targeted and it is mercifully very rare. the children are targeted and it is mercifully very rare. the police in this country. _ mercifully very rare. the police in this country, they _ mercifully very rare. the police in this country, they have _ mercifully very rare. the police in this country, they have the - this country, they have the expertise to be able to try and

investigate now exactly what happened, don't they? the expertise which british — happened, don't they? the expertise which british policing _ happened, don't they? the expertise which british policing is _ happened, don't they? the expertise which british policing is able - happened, don't they? the expertise which british policing is able to - which british policing is able to bring to bear on these huge and very serious investigations is genuinely world—class. the chief constable herself earlier in her career was a detective chief inspector running a major incident team. the expertise that she and her team can bring to bearfrom that she and her team can bring to bear from forces that she and her team can bring to bearfrom forces all over that she and her team can bring to bear from forces all over the country is absolutely significant. it really is not overplaying it to say it is genuinely amongst the best in the world. i have no doubt that this investigation will be thorough, meticulous and when the time is right, the details will become public. i cannot possibly not be here and say as well, the response by the emergency services, all of the emergency services, the police officers, the ambulance and the fire service from what i have seen was absolutely exceptional. of course,

all the people involved will have demonstrated remarkable courage in terms of dealing with this and will have to live with the consequences in their own mind for many years to come, iam in their own mind for many years to come, i am sure.— in their own mind for many years to come, i am sure. yes, because that is a oint come, i am sure. yes, because that is a point some _ come, i am sure. yes, because that is a point some of— come, i am sure. yes, because that is a point some of us _ come, i am sure. yes, because that is a point some of us forget - come, i am sure. yes, because that is a point some of us forget that - is a point some of us forget that the emergency services, the police, the emergency services, the police, the paramedics, they turn up not knowing what they are going to see and they are greeted with that horrific scene. in the end, they are human beings, often will have families with young children, children aged between six and ii families with young children, children aged between six and 11 who were involved in this incident? that is riaht were involved in this incident? that is right and — were involved in this incident? that is right and it _ were involved in this incident? that is right and it is _ were involved in this incident? trust is right and it is inescapable the horror of what they have dealt with and they will have to try and put that to one side to deal professionally, effectively and professionally, effectively and professionally at the scene with what they were confronted by. these stay in the mind and hear about these awful events yesterday and today, they strike all of us. but

those professionals that have been on the scene, it would be very, very tough experience to go through, no doubt at all. find tough experience to go through, no doubt at all-— doubt at all. and also i have been struck by how _ doubt at all. and also i have been struck by how the _ doubt at all. and also i have been struck by how the public- doubt at all. and also i have been struck by how the public have - struck by how the public have reacted and the fact the police will have used the public information that comes forward, things like cctv, to try and track the movements of the individual before he got here to the scene of the mass stabbing. that's right and one of the things about the modern age is cctv is not just the big cameras you might see and might be used to of old, we are talking about ring double cameras,— cam footage, huge amounts of footage will be available so any members of the public you have any information whatsoever, whether it is something they know, orfootage whatsoever, whether it is something

they know, or footage they... {lilia whatsoever, whether it is something they know, or footage they. .. 0k, we have lost the — they know, or footage they. .. 0k, we have lost the line, _ they know, or footage they. .. 0k, we have lost the line, but _ they know, or footage they. .. 0k, we have lost the line, but thank - they know, or footage they. .. 0k, we have lost the line, but thank you - have lost the line, but thank you very much, the former metropolitan police officer giving us that insight into the investigation that will be going on. i can bring you a line. we were mentioning this event was a taylor swift themed dance and y°93 was a taylor swift themed dance and yoga event and we are now understanding that leanne lucas was running that taylor swift event. we should say at the moment, her condition is not known. however, on social media, the public have been praising her bravery and we think that she is 35. i have seen the facebook posts about this event. lauren moss, our correspondent is still with me. we now believe it was leanne lucas he was running this event. it did seem very community orientated event on these premises?

yes, i was reading there was about 22 to 25 people at full capacity at this event yesterday, it was on from ten o'clock until 12 o'clock for primary age children dancing to taylor swift songs and doing yoga. the first full day of the summer holidays and definitely a community. the police said two of the adults in a critical condition had bravely tried to intervene to protect the children. there has been no update on their conditions are of the other six people with critical condition and the other three being treated but we know they are being treated in hospitals from across the north—west and they have been moved to hospitals in manchester, aintree and formby and ormskirk. all

emergency services were involved and it centred around this small community here in southport. yes. community here in southport. yes, the road is — community here in southport. yes, the road is still _ community here in southport. yes, the road is still cordoned _ community here in southport. yes, the road is still cordoned off at both ends. we mentioned the bravery, i know when i first heard what had happened, i immediately thought what would i do? would i stand in front of someone wielding a knife? it does sound like these two adults who are critically ill were just trying to help the children that were in their care? it help the children that were in their care? . ., , help the children that were in their care? . . , , , ., help the children that were in their care? . . i, , ., care? it certainly seems that way and i care? it certainly seems that way and i think— care? it certainly seems that way and i think we _ care? it certainly seems that way and i think we will— care? it certainly seems that way and i think we will find _ care? it certainly seems that way and i think we will find out - care? it certainly seems that way and i think we will find out more | and i think we will find out more details about that as the hours and the days progress. but we know that hearts bay community centre with various events for young children and pregnancy and antenatal and that is what it was being used for yesterday for young people. and we

know now that there are a number of vigils and services taking place across the community. i can tell you some of those that i have been made aware of this money, holy trinity church, the church about half a mile from here, close towards the centre of town is open all day. services taking place, compassion acts, a local charity are opening their doors at two o'clock for a quiet hour and southport football club has cancelled its pre—season friendly out of respect, but is also offering anyone who has been impacted to come in between ten and three to the club lounge. brute in between ten and three to the club lounue. ~ ., ., , in between ten and three to the club lounue. ~ ., .,, ., in between ten and three to the club lounue. ~ ., ., ., lounge. we mentioned it was a taylor swift themed — lounge. we mentioned it was a taylor swift themed event _ lounge. we mentioned it was a taylor swift themed event and _ lounge. we mentioned it was a taylor swift themed event and she _ lounge. we mentioned it was a taylor swift themed event and she has - lounge. we mentioned it was a taylor swift themed event and she hasjust l swift themed event and she has just posted on her social media. i will read you what she has said on instagram. she has written, "the horror of yesterday's attack in southport is watching over me continuously and i am completely in shock. the loss of life and innocence and the horrendous trauma inflicted on everyone who was there,

the families and first responders. these were just little kids at a dance class. i am at a complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families". so that from the heart there from taylor swift. it was her music that was being used at this event? , ., , this event? yes, we have seen the last couple — this event? yes, we have seen the last couple of— this event? yes, we have seen the last couple of years _ this event? yes, we have seen the last couple of years what - this event? yes, we have seen the last couple of years what a - this event? yes, we have seen the last couple of years what a global. last couple of years what a global phenomenon and she is and i think that message, obviously i can see you are quite emotional, i filled up with tears, you read something like that and obviously she will be hearing and reading the headlines about what has happened and you will also see the messages from the king on the queen and the prince and princess of wales. i don't think it is possible to understate the level of feeling and upset, anguish and worried that people have from taylor

swift to the king, to the members of this small community. it really is something which has gripped the entire country and much further afield. t entire country and much further afield. ., ,, ., , afield. i saw some taylor swift fans are settin: afield. i saw some taylor swift fans are setting up _ afield. i saw some taylor swift fans are setting up funds _ afield. i saw some taylor swift fans are setting up funds as _ afield. i saw some taylor swift fans are setting up funds as well - afield. i saw some taylor swift fans are setting up funds as well and - afield. i saw some taylor swift fans are setting up funds as well and we know she has a massive fan base around the world. i think the line that got me, they were just little kids at a dance class, that's what this comes back to?— this comes back to? they were rima this comes back to? they were primary schoolchildren - this comes back to? they were primary schoolchildren the - this comes back to? they were | primary schoolchildren the ages this comes back to? they were . primary schoolchildren the ages of six to ii and we don't have the details of those who lost their lives yesterday and those who are critical in hospital, but we know they are young children and we know they are young children and we know they were at this dance class and probably very excited to be there on one of the first few days of the summer holidays, what should have been an exciting event to go and dance to taylor swift and have a good time, which ended in absolute horror. eye witnesses saying it is the worst thing they have ever seen

and the screams they heard in the street yesterday were not screams of children having a good time, they were screams of absolute horror. someone described it like it was out of a horror movie?— of a horror movie? yes, that is continuing _ of a horror movie? yes, that is continuing today _ of a horror movie? yes, that is continuing today in _ of a horror movie? yes, that is continuing today in a _ of a horror movie? yes, that is continuing today in a sense - of a horror movie? yes, that is | continuing today in a sense that those awful scenes yesterday with the children in the street, we had from eyewitnesses who saw people going in to try and help in carrying children out and the emergency services and air ambulance. and now it is something you see on a documentary, the amount of media presence. someone said to me it is like a true crime documentary on netflix. that is the reality people living he will be faced with for some time to come while they deal with this, if it even possible. i was reading on the bbc news website, taylor swift fans have raised more than £20,000 for the families of the victims of the knife attack and it is just giving page called...

swifties for southport. some of the children are at alder hey hospital which is a specialist world leading hospital? which is a specialist world leading hosital? , , ., which is a specialist world leading hosital? , ,, , hospital? yes, it is a specialist centre and _ hospital? yes, it is a specialist centre and it _ hospital? yes, it is a specialist centre and it being _ hospital? yes, it is a specialist centre and it being fairly - hospital? yes, it is a specialist centre and it being fairly close| hospital? yes, it is a specialist l centre and it being fairly close to here and children being treated there is a sign of how serious it is, and also further afield. brute there is a sign of how serious it is, and also further afield. we can 'ust see is, and also further afield. we can just see yvette — is, and also further afield. we can just see yvette cooper _ is, and also further afield. we can just see yvette cooper the - is, and also further afield. we can just see yvette cooper the home l just see yvette cooper the home secretary has arrived. she is standing outside the blue anchor pub. she is holding a bunch of flowers in her hand. the home secretary also issuing a statement saying what happened yesterday was utterly heartbreaking and that the families were going through what she described as unimaginable. you can see the home secretary now approaching the street along with

members of the police force and merseyside police and also the local mp here as well. they are going to lay those flowers in front of the cordoned off streets. i will pause a moment while the home secretary does that.

they can see the home secretary, yvette cooperjust they can see the home secretary, yvette cooper just leaving they can see the home secretary, yvette cooperjust leaving the scene after she laid those flowers. she was joined after she laid those flowers. she wasjoined by after she laid those flowers. she was joined by the local mp, patrick hurley, and you saw the two of them exchanging a hug after she put down her own bunch of flowers. she took time to read some of the cards that have been left with the other flowers. also members of the

merseyside police force as well, leaving flowers there. as i said, very emotional moment, lauren, i thought from the home secretary. you could tell that she and the local mp were physically moved by this? absolutely and i think the silence that fell over us, there is a lot of media here today, a lot of reporters and journalists and members of the community and nobody said a word as the home secretary came through the police cordon and laid a wreath, joining the other flowers. nobody asked any questions, nobody shouted anything out, it was a very emotional, solemn moment and that is the whole feeling here today, isn't it as well? you can see some of the flowers and teddy bears, football that has been left and she has added her respects and her tribute to that quietly this morning. yes.

her respects and her tribute to that quietly this morning.— quietly this morning. yes, because often when — quietly this morning. yes, because often when these _ quietly this morning. yes, because often when these events _ quietly this morning. yes, because often when these events happen, l often when these events happen, journalists shout questions at the home secretary. i think itjust shows the level of absolute horror across the country, even from you could say the journalists, to what has happened here. all you could hear was the sound of the clicking cameras. ., , ., , ., cameras. nothing else. that is not to say there _ cameras. nothing else. that is not to say there aren't _ cameras. nothing else. that is not to say there aren't questions - cameras. nothing else. that is not to say there aren't questions and l to say there aren't questions and there is a time for that, but right now this encompasses that this is a time for, you know, reflection for paying respect to those people who have been affected. i think it does reflect the weight of the sadness, that members of the public both wider and especially in this community. forthe wider and especially in this community. for the home secretary to arrive here less than 2a hours since this terrible event unfolded, i think it is a sign of the seriousness as well, the way it is treated. i understand she is to have

meetings with the chief constable and the mayor and the police and crime commissioner later today. yes. crime commissioner later today. yes, floral tributes _ crime commissioner later today. yes, floral tributes being _ crime commissioner later today. yes, floral tributes being laid here, remembering the two children who died. we have nine in hospital, six in critical condition and two adults in critical condition and two adults in critical condition and two adults in critical condition. when it comes to the police investigation they have a 17—year—old boy in custody? yes, they have detained a 17—year—old male yesterday. he is being questioned on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. we will likely get some update from merseyside police later today about how the investigation is continuing. we know that the motive is currently unclear, that is how the chief constable described it yesterday. it is not being treated as terror related but we have seen the police have cordoned off a house three or four miles north of here in the village of banks. we know the

17—year—old in custody was originally from cardiff and they are the current details we have at the moment. ~ , ., ., ,, moment. while you were talking, lauren, moment. while you were talking, lauren. there _ moment. while you were talking, lauren, there is _ moment. while you were talking, lauren, there is an _ moment. while you were talking, lauren, there is an officer- moment. while you were talking, | lauren, there is an officer standing here but someone has brought him some chocolate and laid them there. the community really have pulled together, already bringing out water and chocolates for the officers. the community support officer who is standing at the cording? yes. community support officer who is standing at the cording?- community support officer who is standing at the cording? yes, i have been here since _ standing at the cording? yes, i have been here since the _ standing at the cording? yes, i have been here since the sun _ standing at the cording? yes, i have been here since the sun was - standing at the cording? yes, i have been here since the sun was coming j been here since the sun was coming up been here since the sun was coming up this morning and not many people were awake and slowly over the money people have been coming out and saying hello to the police and to the press. the lady offered to make the press. the lady offered to make the media and the police some breakfast. i think that is also still quite surprising to me, because this is a nightmare, having this scene unfold on their doorstep and yet i think there is also some

notice that this is a really significantly terrible event that is receiving this amount of press coverage and hopefully what is a respectful way, as we just so with the home secretary laying the wreath undisturbed and the community pulling together and the number of vigils taking place, having quiet hours for people to come in and it isn'tjust people on the street that have been affected, but undoubtedly they are most affected, i spoke to a guy who cycled in from liverpool earlier he just laid some flowers and paid his respects. he said when tragedies like this happen, if that is a word use to describe it, the whole of the merseyside region comes together and supports those who have been affected. {lilia together and supports those who have been affected-— been affected. 0k, lauren, i know ou will been affected. 0k, lauren, i know you will stay _ been affected. 0k, lauren, i know you will stay with _ been affected. 0k, lauren, i know you will stay with me, _ been affected. ok, lauren, i know you will stay with me, thank- been affected. 0k, lauren, i know you will stay with me, thank you i been affected. 0k, lauren, i know. you will stay with me, thank you for the moment. as we saw the home secretary laying her wreath along with the local mp the emergency

services, also. in the last half an hour, taylor swift has posted on social media, because this was a taylor swift themed dance party. these are the words of taylor swift on her instagram, "the horror of yesterday's attack in southport is washing over me continuously. i am completely in shock. the loss of life and innocence and horrendous trauma inflicted on everyone he was there, the families and first responders. these were just little kids at a dance class. i am at a complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families". those are the words of taylor swift on a post on instagram. already, taylor swift fans have raised over £20,000 for the families and also alder hey children's hospital. you can see behind me, the floral tributes are growing and growing here at the street of the scene of

yesterday's tragedy. two children died, nine others injured, six of those in a critical condition in hospital along with two adults. we will have continuing coverage on bbc news, but let's take a look at the weather with carol kirkwood. hello again. if you have an allergy to pollen, the levels today are either low or moderate across the board, and if you like your weather that bit hotter, it's going to be very warm or indeed hot today. a lot of dry and sunny weather around, if we reach 32 celsius, it will make it the hottest day of this year so far. so you can see from the oranges where we're looking at the higher temperatures, they continue as we go through the week, various weather fronts crossing us, bringing in some thundery showers at times. but as we head into the weekend, these fresher conditions come in behind that cold front, as represented by the yellows. so today, a lot of dry weather,

we've got the remnants of a weather front continuing to break up, reallyjust a band of cloud across southern scotland, northern england and northern ireland, and another one across the far north of scotland, where it's also windy, producing the odd shower. but in between a lot of dry and sunny weather with highs of 21 in aberdeen but potentially 32 in london. that tempts you to the coast, where it will be cooler with sea breezes. these are the temperatures you can expect in the sea, so still a bit nippy. now through this evening and overnight still a lot of clear skies. at times we'll import a bit of low cloud from the north sea, a few showers getting into south west england and we could see some thundery showers coming up from france, clipping the far south east where it will be humid. but it will be chilly in sheltered glens with overnight lows of four degrees. tomorrow we lose the thundery showers quite early doors, then low cloud coming in on an onshore breeze at times

across eastern england and eastern scotland. but we could well see some thundery showers across the channel islands and southern counties, with highs tomorrow up to 30 in london, 22 in glasgow. overnight we'll see some thundery showers develop, but if anything there'll be more of them around on thursday as that weather front clashes with hot and humid air. the met office has a weather warning out for those thunderstorms. we won't all see them by any stretch, but you could see some and they could be torrential and could lead to some localised flooding so it's one to watch. but equally there'll be a lot of dry weather around as well, a fair bit of sunshine with highs up to about 27 degrees. then as we head on into the latter part of the week for friday, we've got a weather front coming in, starting to introduce that fresher air from the west, and it will be fresher as we head into the weekend.

live from southport, this is bbc news. tributes have been paid after two children are killed in a mass stabbing in southport, with six children and two adults remaining in a critical condition. in the last few minutes, the home secretary, yvette cooper, has visited the scene and laid flowers. she hugged the local mp. taylor swift has also paid tribute as the children were at a taylor swift themed dance event. she said she was at a complete loss. "they were just little kids in she was at a complete loss. "they werejust little kids in a dance

class". floral tributes have been laid throughout the morning. in the next hour, we will bring you all the latest hear from southport as a 17 year boy remains in custody on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. in other news... deputy prime minister angela rayner is expected to announce changes to the planning system in a bid to boost house building. the chancellor defends her decision to scrap winter fuel payments for some pensioners whilst raising public sector pay. and, team gb will be hoping for more gold medals today with high hopes in the gymnastics, swimming and triathlon. good morning from southport in england's north—west, where the community is still struggling to come to terms with what police have called a "ferocious" attack that has left two children dead.