in the 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.

nine other children were injured, and six are still in a critical condition in hospital. two adults are also in a critical condition after what police described as a ferocious attack. they believe those two adults, who were in a critical condition, were trying to protect the children who were at a dance event here in this quiet street in southport. it was a taylor swift themed event. throughout the morning, we have seen people coming to lay flowers here at the scene. some of them turn away in tears and others have just come up and stood in silence, saying a little prayer. there have been a variety of messages and i have seen a baby girl toy left. onejust messages and i have seen a baby girl toy left. one just says "with love from southport". poems have been

left. within the last half an hour or so, the home secretary, yvette cooper, has visited the scene and laid some flowers of her own. she wasjoined by the laid some flowers of her own. she was joined by the local mp, laid some flowers of her own. she wasjoined by the local mp, and also representatives from the merseyside police force. after she had laid those flowers, she took a look at some of the other cards and tributes that have been left here, and in quite an emotional moment, also hugged the local mp, patrick hurley, who is the labour mp for southport. interestingly, the media here were completely silent. or you could really hear worthy click of the cameras taking pictures. that shows the impact that this event, this tragic event yesterday, has had on the whole nation. we, of course, have had tributes from the king. he

came out with a tribute very early on after the incident yesterday, sending his heartfelt condolences, calling it "truly appalling". the prince and princess of wales, who have their own children, called it "horrid and venus". the prime minister, keir starmer, said that the whole country was deeply shocked. let me remind you of what happened here yesterday. as i said, it was a dance themed event that was taking place here on the street behind me. ifi taking place here on the street behind me. if i remind you what happened. it is a quiet residential street here, a really quite area of stockport. —— southport. it was here that a man entered the building where that taylor swift themed dance event was taking place. he stabbed

people. a number of analyses were called and paramedics, and the injured were taken to a number of hospitals around the north west, including the alder hey children's hospital in liverpool. two children have died and nine others injured. six of those are in a critical condition. two adults are also in a critical condition. police said they tried to protect the children. a17 male was arrested and is being held at the moment on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. also within the last half an hour, taylor swift has paid tribute. she posted on instagram. let me show you what she posted on instagram. she said "the horror of yesterday's attack in southport is washing over me

continuously, and i am just completely in shock. the loss of life and innocence, and the horrendous trauma inflicted on everyone who was there one of the families and the 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 posted on her instagram. herfans have already words of taylor swift posted on her instagram. her fans have already set “p instagram. her fans have already set up a gofundme page which has already raised a lot of money for the victims and the hospital where the children are being treated. my colleague is here with me. in the last half an hour we have seen the home secretary, yvette cooper, laying some flowers. that really was quite an emotional moment. it laying some flowers. that really was quite an emotional moment.-

quite an emotional moment. it was. in fact, the — quite an emotional moment. it was. in fact, the area _ quite an emotional moment. it was. in fact, the area is _ quite an emotional moment. it was. in fact, the area is not _ quite an emotional moment. it was. in fact, the area is not as _ quite an emotional moment. it was. in fact, the area is not as full - quite an emotional moment. it was. in fact, the area is not as full of - in fact, the area is not as full of journalists and the public as it was. everyone cleared a path for the home secretary to come through with the chief constable and the local mp as well. they went to the flowers over there and she laid a wreath. usually at things like this, at a crime scene, or any event where you come across the secretary of state, the media tends to ask questions, especially when there are so many questions that people have in a time like this. but everyone�*s was completely silent. nobody said a word. everyone observed silently yvette cooper coming in, laying her flowers, hugging the local mp. she also spoke to some of those emergency first responders that were on the scene. he was very moving and very respectful, and i think that kind of really sums up the impression that has been left on me for the last hours of what this area

is like. it is a community very much in shock. it has been very quiet, as we have been saying. that was very much the sense of what happened when the home secretary was here just a few short minutes ago. yes. the home secretary was here 'ust a few short minutes ago.* few short minutes ago. yes, and throughout _ few short minutes ago. yes, and throughout the _ few short minutes ago. yes, and throughout the morning - few short minutes ago. yes, and throughout the morning people i few short minutes ago. yes, and - throughout the morning people have been bringing flowers. we have seen poems and little toys left. yes. been bringing flowers. we have seen poems and little toys left.— poems and little toys left. yes, i was very moved _ poems and little toys left. yes, i was very moved earlier - poems and little toys left. yes, i j was very moved earlier someone overnight had left a teddy and a doll and they had written letters to the family say they cannot imagine what they are going through right now, to the families of those affected. somebody had had written a poem entitled hope. i spoke to the wife of a gentleman that wrote that and he said peoplejust wife of a gentleman that wrote that and he said people just feel they want to do something. writing those words may not do very much, but it might mean something to families thatjust need to hear that there are people that are there for them right now, and hope for those that

are fighting for their lives in hospital. hope for this community, too, which has been so shaken by what has happened. find too, which has been so shaken by what has happened.— too, which has been so shaken by what has happened. and it is already cominu what has happened. and it is already coming together _ what has happened. and it is already coming together in _ what has happened. and it is already coming together in the _ what has happened. and it is already coming together in the local - coming together in the local football club, which was due to have a friendly against morecambe tonight and they have called it off but they have opened their doors for people to just come have opened their doors for people tojust come in have opened their doors for people to just come in and talk to councillors, and there was going to be a vigil tonight.— be a vigil tonight. yes, southport football club _ be a vigil tonight. yes, southport football club have _ be a vigil tonight. yes, southport football club have cancelled - be a vigil tonight. yes, southport football club have cancelled their| football club have cancelled their pre—season friendly as a mark of respect and they are holding a drop—in session later this afternoon for anyone affected. there is a charity a couple of streets away thatis charity a couple of streets away that is also holding a drop—in session for people to just go and have a drink, have some peace and quiet, talk to people if they have been deeply affected. the local church is also open all day and they had a service earlier. they will be a little later tonight. some people i spoke to earlier this morning, just starting their day, they held a vigil of their own last night, which

we onlyjust found out vigil of their own last night, which we only just found out about. just a few local residents laying flowers, candles, saying prayers and they read out the poem, hope. just trying to do something and just let their feelings be known that this is an area that very much pull together, notjust in southport but the wider merseyside area which is known for that, and that is what we are seeing here right now. that, and that is what we are seeing here right nova— here right now. because 24 hours auo, here right now. because 24 hours ago. those _ here right now. because 24 hours ago, those children _ here right now. because 24 hours ago, those children would - here right now. because 24 hours ago, those children would have . here right now. because 24 hours i ago, those children would have been enjoying themselves at this taylor swift themed event.— enjoying themselves at this taylor swift themed event. yes, and that's what really struck _ swift themed event. yes, and that's what really struck me _ swift themed event. yes, and that's what really struck me this _ swift themed event. yes, and that's what really struck me this morning, | what really struck me this morning, and still now. honestly it is a bit busier, but we have been here since very early and it is completely quiet. like any other day, i suppose. like it would have been this time yesterday. completely silent, except now there is a police cordoned and police officers in the streets, flowers being laid. you know, there is very much an active

police investigation going on. 24 hours ago, this was just any other residential neighbourhood on merseyside. a couple of hair salons around the corner, builder unit, the local pub, cafe is. and of course, the studio which is where this happened, which is hired out for various community event. yesterday it was a dance and yoga event to taylor swift music. primary school aged children were probably having a really fantastic time. and then this awful thing happened and air ambulances were landing on the scene around us. it is unimaginable, i think, which is why it has got people from taylor swift herself, to the king and the prince and princess of wales commenting about it. we have to remember is people living in this street, their lives have changed for ever.— this street, their lives have changed for ever.

this street, their lives have chanced for ever. , , ., , ., changed for ever. yes. this has made front- -ae~ changed for ever. yes. this has made front-page headlines _ changed for ever. yes. this has made front-page headlines around - changed for ever. yes. this has made front-page headlines around the - front—page headlines around the world and around the country and further afield, and it is a terrible event. forthe further afield, and it is a terrible event. for the people here, it is an event, we call it an event but it is an incident that will continue again, and not show any sign of ending because they have to live with this. they have to walk past that studio, walk down that street. they were coming out of their houses this morning, being escorted by police, underthe this morning, being escorted by police, under the tape, and this is the reality they will live with long after we have stood here and other members of the press. they are the ones that will have these questions about how and why this has happened, and they are the ones that will have to try and find some way of moving forward each day, knowing what has happened here. i don't think anyone is at a stage to say how they will do that right now. the is at a stage to say how they will do that right now.— is at a stage to say how they will do that right now. the thing that we also have to — do that right now. the thing that we also have to bear _ do that right now. the thing that we also have to bear in _ do that right now. the thing that we also have to bear in mind _ do that right now. the thing that we also have to bear in mind is- do that right now. the thing that we also have to bear in mind is the - also have to bear in mind is the people who were there first on

scene, they described it as being like something out of a horror movie, something they had never seen. notjust numbers of the public, but the emergency services. the paramedics. they were trying to save the lives of these, we don't know the ages of the ones who were injured, but the people in that group were aged 6—11. injured, but the people in that group were aged 6-11.- injured, but the people in that group were aged 6-11. yes, and paramedics _ group were aged 6-11. yes, and paramedics in — group were aged 6-11. yes, and paramedics in the _ group were aged 6-11. yes, and paramedics in the north-west i group were aged 6-11. yes, and - paramedics in the north-west tablet paramedics in the north—west tablet service, it is theirjob and they get called to emergencies all the time. horrendous things that occur. but to get that call and know that there is a major incident declared on merseyside, by merseyside police, 13 ambulances were dispatched, the i3 ambulances were dispatched, the air and service, and the fire service were here providing support but they said yesterday at the press conference that the impact on those emergency service workers will be huge. we heard from eyewitnesses, not the emergency services, but people living nearby, theirfriends went into the studio and carried out

children who were wounded. for the people that's all that, and the emergency service workers who transported those young people, those children and those two adults to hospitals across the north west, as far as manchester and to alder hey children's hospital, to ormskirk and lancashire, that will stay with them for a very, very long time. for ever. them for a very, very long time. for ever- yes. — them for a very, very long time. for ever. yes, this brings back what the chief constable said yesterday. "as a mum i cannot imagine the pain and suffering the families of victims are going through". this is the thing, isn't it? a lot of the people who turned up to help, from the police, the firemen who turned up and fire women, they will have families of their own.— and fire women, they will have families of their own. some may have children of this _ families of their own. some may have children of this age. _ families of their own. some may have children of this age. exactly, - families of their own. some may have children of this age. exactly, and - children of this age. exactly, and the people i have spoken to, residents, you know, they have friends who had children in the class, in that studio just a few days ago themselves, so everyone thinks they know somebody who knows

somebody who has been impacted by this, or it could have been asked. that was encapsulated by the tweet by the prince and princess of wales when they said "as parents, we cannot begin to imagine what the families, friends and loved ones of those killed or injured in southport are going through". they also thanked the emergency responders. i think that is also why it has touched so many people and had such an effect because of the ages of these children caught up in this, fighting for their lives in hospital. people putting themselves in the place of those, if it was happening next door to you, what you would do. and the emergency services caring for them around the clock. at alder hey children's hospital and manchester children's hospital, these are the some of the biggest paediatric centres in the country. they are being very well cared for, but the impact on those people also is huge. but the impact on those people also is hue. ., .,

is huge. you mentioned the in'ured. the are is huge. you mentioned the in'ured. they being i is huge. you mentioned the in'ured. they are being treated * is huge. you mentioned the in'ured. they are being treated at h is huge. you mentioned the injured. they are being treated at alder- is huge. you mentioned the injured. they are being treated at alder hey| they are being treated at alder hey hospital and a number of other hospitals around the north west stopped as i said, we have got nine children who are in hospital, six of those are in a critical condition, and the two adults who bravely tried to intervene when the stabbing was happening, are also in hospital in a critical condition. my colleague dave guest is at alder hey hospital in liverpool, the children's hospital and he gave us this update on what they were saying about the condition of the children that they were treating there. yes, alder hey is one of the premier children's facilities in this country and has a worldwide reputation. it treats 150,000 children every year, so the staff inside there are well accustomed to dealing with traumatised children, and of course their parents. i suspect even the most hardened of

those staff yesterday were shocked by what faced them. these were children who had not been involved in some kind of accident or developed a life changing illness, these were children who had simply gone out to a dance party yesterday morning in the school holidays, and never went home again. that person went into that dance class and starting stabbing people at random. six of those children remain in a critical condition, which means they have received life—threatening injuries. two adults, let's not forget them, also in a critical condition elsewhere. they were said by police to have bravely tried to save the children. we don't know which hospitals are catering for which hospitals are catering for which children at the moment, but we know there are certainly some here at alder hey hospital. the key medications department said they hoped to issue an update later this morning to let us know how those children are doing, but it has been a fretful night for their parents, waiting and hoping for some use, some signs of recovery. of course, let's not forget that two families, the families of those two children

who died, at this moment in time are experiencing unimaginable grief. now, we don't know the ages of the children that are in hospital, but we know the event catered for 6—11 —year—olds. when children are that young and they come in with such injuries, it must be very difficult for the doctors and nurses, many of those who would be parents themselves.— those who would be parents themselves. , , ., , , themselves. absolutely. obviously, themselves. absolutely. obviously, the doctors and _ themselves. absolutely. obviously, the doctors and nurses _ themselves. absolutely. obviously, the doctors and nurses are - themselves. absolutely. obviously, the doctors and nurses are also - the doctors and nurses are also mothers and fathers as well, and it is like that for anybody who has got children, to put themselves into that position of those parents. the children go to a dance event and this happens. this hospital is a world leader, it has processes in place for a major incident of this kind and yesterday it declared a major incident and closed it accident and emergency department to all but the most serious of cases in order to concentrate on the children coming in here. as the afternoon

went on, more and more details came through from southport about the extent of the injuries and the number of children who have been involved. truly horrific experience for everybody, the first responders, the police on the scene in southport, and also the staff here at alder hey and other hospitals across the north west who have been dealing with the aftermath of this tragedy. the question that parents are going to be asking is why? why their children? why that event? why did this happen? and these are questions at the police are going to be trying to answer in the coming days and weeks as the investigation continues. ai7—year—old boy is currently being questioned on suspicion of involvement in these terrible, terrible incidents. yes, absolutely. i know that the authorities are offering support here in the local community, and i heard a nurse who works at one of the local hospitals saying support is also being offered student nurses, who are in the hospitals,

who may not have come across something like this their career. yes, the health service will have its own system set up to help staff, particularly younger and less experienced staff to cope with things in these extraordinary events. clearly, a play such as this, it is well geared up to look after parents who are clearly going through the most awful time is at the moment and wondering when they are going to get some news of how their children are doing. this is a tragedy, notjust felt here at this hospital, notjust in southport, but right across the north west. and indeed across the country. this sort of incident thankfully is extreme erect, but when it does happen, it is truly shocking.— is truly shocking. dave guest outside alder _ is truly shocking. dave guest outside alder hey _ is truly shocking. dave guest outside alder hey children'sl outside alder hey children's hospital in liverpool which is where some of the injured children are being treated. as david said, if we do get any update on their

condition, we will of course bring it to you here on bbc news. nine children are being treated, six of those are in a critical condition. also the two adults in a critical condition who are in various hospitals around the north west. of course, alder hey hospital is a centre of excellence for children's health, so no surprise that some of the seriously injured were taken there yesterday. let me just give you an idea of the scene here. this is the cordoned off area of hart street. there is tape at each end of the street. the media from around the street. the media from around the world is here, notjust from the uk but also from around the world. i have seen one broadcaster from australia here, so this incident is resonating around the world. this is the start of the summer holidays,

and these events, these sort of dance events and other children's events are taking place around the country. parents drop their children off for a few hours to do an activity before they pick them up, and that is exactly what was going on here yesterday. it was, as we have heard, a taylor swift themed dance event for 6—11 —year—olds. we understand that there were 25 children inside the event. they were also making bracelets, doing the things that children aged 6—11 like to do in the summer holidays. then, of course, it is 11:22am, it was at 11:47am yesterday that the emergency services got the first call to come to this area with reports of multiple stabbings. we have seen on social media some awful scenes, and

we have heard from the eye witnesses describing it as like something out of a horror movie. a number of them have mentioned the screams that they heard, saying that those screams will stay with them for ever. the paramedics who tried treating those seriously injured children on the street. there is a fire engine house nearby and some of the first people on the scene were firefighters, who were offering their first aid skills before the paramedics arrived. 13 ambulances were sent to the area. the police sent armed response units. we have heard of parents running to try and find out what was happening to their children. this event was due to finish at midday, so this happened towards the end when the parents would have been coming to collect their children.

news spread in the street, but also on social media. you can imagine if you are a parent, even if you are not apparent, what must be going through their mind when they hear that there has been a stabbing at the event that they have dropped their children off to just aged 6-11. their children off to just aged 6—11. there is a lot of shock in this community, and a lot of people asking the question, a simple question, why? why did this happen? well, we have been talking to a view of the local residents here and people who have been bringing floral tributes throughout the morning. here is what some of them have had to say to us. it got worse and worse and worse as we followed it. there were

stabbings. i was hit on my bike and they said two children killed, i just couldn't believe it. something like this to have _ just couldn't believe it. something like this to have unfolded - just couldn't believe it. something like this to have unfolded here - like this to have unfolded here yesterday, it is something that can only be _ yesterday, it is something that can only be described as a devastating nightmare. you know, it is so shocking _ nightmare. you know, it is so shocking. we are in a seaside town. children_ shocking. we are in a seaside town. children should be able to enjoy their_ children should be able to enjoy their summer holidays at the beginning of it, and this tragedy has happened. it isjust so utterlym _ has happened. it isjust so utterly... you can't describe in words — utterly... you can't describe in words how _ utterly... you can't describe in words how upsetting it is. that is some of the local people who have stalked to us today. a lot of shock. we are getting some details about the person that we believe was helping to run this event. the bbc understands that the teacher running this taylor swift dance and yoga class is thought to be leanne lucas,

35 years old. social media posts advertising the class named leanne lucas as the organiser, and we have seen pictures of her on facebook and other things, where they were actually advertising this event. since the attack, of course, there have been lots of tributes on social media pouring in, praising leanne lucas for her bravery. her condition has not yet been confirmed by the authorities, but the police yesterday, the chief constable during her press conference, was talking about how the two adults that were critically injured, they thought that they were trying to protect the children at this event. the man, when he came in and was a stabbing, they try to intervene and they were injured. lauren is with me

and has been here all morning. that image in your head, of teachers trying to protect their children, during a mass stabbing, it really brings home to you how awful this was. , ., ~ brings home to you how awful this was. , ., " . " brings home to you how awful this was. , ., ~ . ~ ., ., , was. yes. you think back to 24 hours auo, ou was. yes. you think back to 24 hours ago. you know. _ was. yes. you think back to 24 hours ago. you know. the _ was. yes. you think back to 24 hours ago, you know, the police _ was. yes. you think back to 24 hours ago, you know, the police were - ago, you know, the police were called here at 1147 yesterday morning, just before lunchtime, and so exactly 24 hours ago not far from where we are standing children aged 6-11 where we are standing children aged 6—11 were taking part in a dance and y°93 6—11 were taking part in a dance and yoga class with taylor swift music, bubbly having a really pleasant time in the first full week of the summer holidays, the start of summer holiday clubs and the start of nice weather, in the heart of this community in southport. and then something like this happens. you mention some of the tributes that have been made online for the yoga

teacher that was running the class, saying "your bravery has touched the heart of the nation. we are praying for you. " and for the families affected,. we know yesterday the chief constable said the two adults that are in a critical condition in hospital were injured trying to protect the children. two children died and nine others are in hospital, six are in a critical condition being treated in hospitals across the north west, including alder hey hospital and manchester children's hospital. i don't think there is any understating the impact this will have. it took place so quickly. the longevity this will have here and wider. absolutely. we have here and wider. absolutely. we have seen in — have here and wider. absolutely. we have seen in the _ have here and wider. absolutely. we have seen in the last _ have here and wider. absolutely. we have seen in the last hour— have here and wider. absolutely. we have seen in the last hour yvette - have seen in the last hour yvette cooper, the home secretary, has come here and laid some flowers, along with the local mp and the chief

constable. it was really striking, just how silent all of the media here when that moment happened, and how emotional actually yvette cooper and the local mp were when they had. yes, yvette cooper came through the press. manyjournalists standing press. many journalists standing around press. manyjournalists standing around us, that have dissipated somewhat since then, they cleared a path for her and she went through the police called escorted by officers and laid what i think was a wreath of flowers over there, and had the local mp, like you said. she has also spoken to some emergency first responders and there will be a statement later. usually at things like this when they have been crimes and there is a big media presence, or there is ever a government official nearby, asked journalist tend to ask questions and there are certainly a lot of questions being asked right now, but that was not the time for that to happen. that was a time of respect, of reflection, and of everybody feeling

a small amount of the weight of sadness that has fallen on this community, seeing the home secretary arrive here less than 24 hours after this happened to pay her respects. while you were talking then, there have been families turning up with young children, their parents, they are on their school holidays but laying flowers and teddy bears. i read a poem down the road before called hope that somebody had written, and another card saying "we can't imagine what you are going through". these are the sentiments echoed are echoed by the prince and princess of wales on social media. they said they cannot imagine how they are feeling. this is the outpouring that we are seeing here today, with these attributes. there are items that have been brought, a box of chocolates, soft drinks now, crisps, suntan lotion,

water and drinks. the community already coming together. thea;r water and drinks. the community already coming together. they are, we are hearing _ already coming together. they are, we are hearing it _ already coming together. they are, we are hearing it will— already coming together. they are, we are hearing it will be _ already coming together. they are, we are hearing it will be the - we are hearing it will be the hottest day of the year. these officers have been out yet rotating on shift patterns all night. they have been here since i arrived very early this morning. people were coming out down the road offering journalists and the police breakfast, making them drinks, bacon sandwiches. that was quite overwhelming for me for that to happen, because often i think media can be seen as intrusive in something like this. but today, everything has been treated very respectfully and local people are relieved in a sense the police present is here and the media attention is here, for all the wrong reasons, but that respect being paid and that concern that people have for the families is very significant today. for the families is very significant toda . �* for the families is very significant toda .�* . , today. and southport football club,

the 've today. and southport football club, they've cancelled _ today. and southport football club, they've cancelled their— today. and southport football club, they've cancelled their preseason l they've cancelled their preseason friendly but open their