other news, deputy prime minister in other news, deputy prime minister angela raynor is expected to announce changes to the planning system in a bid to increase 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 afternoon, i am in southport where the community is trying to come to terms with the mass stabbing. during the mass stabbing, which was happening 2a hours ago right now, two children were killed, nine others were injured, six of those remain in a critical

condition. two adults are also in a critical condition. police say that those two adults were trying to protect the children during what has been described as a ferocious attack. now, we don't know the ages of those children who died, or who are currently in hospital, but the taylor swift music themed event was ii—year—olds. we understand that there were 25 children at this event when the mass stabbing occurred. a —year—old boy in custody. he has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. —— acts 17—year—old. within the last hour, the home secretary yvette cooper has visited the scene. she and the local mp laid flowers here at the scene. it was a very silent moment, where the media that have been gathered here fell silent and watched as she

laid the flowers. she also hugged the local mp and the two of them were joined the local mp and the two of them werejoined by members the local mp and the two of them were joined by members from the merseyside police force. throughout the morning, we have seen tributes, floral tributes, the morning, we have seen tributes, floraltributes, being the morning, we have seen tributes, floral tributes, being brought by local people. they have been laying those flowers, some of them turning away in tears and others just standing and offering a silent little player. as i said, police were called to this road at 11:1i7am yesterday morning, so we are talking 24 yesterday morning, so we are talking 2a hours ago. let me remind you of those events. it was a taylor swift themed summer dance class that was taking place in this street, hart street. it is a quiet residential area in this seaside town. as i

mentioned, a number of children were injured. now, they were taken to hospitals, including the alder hey children's hospital in liverpool, and a number of other local units. as we have been reporting, two children sadly lost their lives. paramedics who attended the scene were unable to save them. nine of the children were injured, six of those remain in a critical condition. two adults are also in a critical condition after being injured during the incident. as i said, police say that they were trying to protect the children. 817—year—old male was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. he is from a local village about three miles from here, but originally from the cardiff area. he is being questioned. police have not given too many details about that

investigation. they do say, though, it is not terror related. the issue with all of the people who have been coming here throughout the morning they have been asking one question. why? why did this happen? that at the moment is the question that police cannot answer. the area, the road here, it is sealed off at both ends as the forensic teams work in this local youth club where it happened. they will be looking at that forensic detail, trying to piece together what happened. as i mentioned, the home secretary, yvette cooper, was here about an hour ago and she laid some flowers and it was silent here, apart from the clicking of cameras. but afterwards she did do an interview, and here is what she has said about the incident that happened here yesterday.

i think it is unimaginable, what has happened. this is a devastating and horrific attack and all of our thoughts will be the families who have been affected, loved ones who have been affected, loved ones who have been affected, loved ones who have been lost, and the children who are injured. it is really important that they get all the support they need. i have been meeting with some of the first responders, the emergency services, the police, fire service and paramedics, who were there yesterday and who had to respond with great bravery to make sure that more lives were not lost, and i thank them for the work that they did stop there is also a serious criminal investigation under way now, but everyone �*s thoughts will be with those injured children and just praying for them. that was the home secretary, yvette cooper. ijust want that was the home secretary, yvette cooper. i just want to bring that was the home secretary, yvette cooper. ijust want to bring you some breaking news that we have got

from the police, who havejust issued an update. they say "sadly we can confirm that a third child has passed away as a result of the injuries sustained in the knife attack here in southport yesterday. the nine—year—old girl died in hospital in the early hours of this morning." they have also confirmed that the children who died yesterday were girls aged six and seven. so, the news that we have had in the last few moments is that a third child has died as a result of this multiple stabbing incident here in southport yesterday. police have confirmed that the third goal that died was a nine—year—old girl and that she died in hospital in the early hours of this morning. they have also confirmed that the two other girls that died were aged six and seven years old. this statement has just come in from the police.

and seven years old. this statement hasjust come in from the police. my colleague, lauren, has been here this morning. tragic news, that a third child has died.— third child has died. yes, i think the worst news _ third child has died. yes, i think the worst news that _ third child has died. yes, i think the worst news that anyone - third child has died. yes, i think. the worst news that anyone could think would come this lunchtime. i have got more of the police statement here. further to what you said, they say that a third child has passed away as a result of the injuries sustained in the knife attack and she was a nine—year—old girl who died early this morning. the children who died yesterday, as you said, were girls aged six and seven years old. this police statement also says that eight other children who suffered stab wounds and five of them are in a critical condition, and the two adults are also in a critical condition still. family liaison officers are providing support to the families. this police statement also goes on to make a comment about some of the

speculation online. they say that a 17—year—old male from banks, a village north of here, was arrested yesterday and we know he is originally from cardiff, born in cardiff. they say a name has been shared on social media in connection with the suspect but the name is incorrect, and they are urging again for people not to speculate on the details of the incident while this investigation is ongoing. it is not being treated as terror related and they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident but they are still questioning that 17—year—old male. terrible news to emerge from merseyside police this lunchtime, that another child has died as a result of their injuries suffered hey 2a hours ago. yes, died as a result of their injuries suffered hey 24 hours ago. yes, if ou are suffered hey 24 hours ago. yes, if you are just _ suffered hey 24 hours ago. yes, if you are just joining _ suffered hey 24 hours ago. yes, if you arejust joining us, _ suffered hey 24 hours ago. yes, if you arejust joining us, a - you arejustjoining us, a nine—year—old girl has died in hospital. we knew that six girls were critically ill and now a nine—year—old has died. five remain

critically ill. the other two who died were aged six and seven years old. we knew that this event was for 6—11 —year—olds, but the fact that one of these girls is just six years old. one of these girls is “ust six years old. , , ., ., , ., old. yes, the young ages of the children that _ old. yes, the young ages of the children that were _ old. yes, the young ages of the children that were here - old. yes, the young ages of the l children that were here yesterday old. yes, the young ages of the - children that were here yesterday at the start of the school holidays, it was a holiday club event dancing to music by taylor swift, and we know that they are critically injured in hospital, but to hear that another child has since died of injuries is devastating news and the worst news that anyone could have hoped for. the police with an update that nobody would have wanted to hear. five other children, very important to remember, five other children are still in a critical condition, along with the two adults, which police said yesterday were injured while trying to bravely protect the

children during that dance club yesterday when this attack began. also, we know people here in the local community have been affected, and also in this police statement they are saying that there are going to be care officers at southport football club. we knew that they had opened their door after cancelling their preseason friendly match. yes, that's right- — their preseason friendly match. yes, that's right. victim _ their preseason friendly match. yes, that's right. victim care _ their preseason friendly match. 1313 that's right. victim care offices, merseyside police have told us, will be at the community support centre set up by southport football club until 6pm tonight to help those affected and i'm sure that will be something they will review and keep on going throughout the week, but thatis on going throughout the week, but that is happening today. they say anybody who has been affected can also contact the victim kept merseyside service for help and support. there is a hub of local staff as well, who are trained to provide free emotional, practical support to people who need it. anyone affected is urged to contact the victim kept merseyside, too. lauren, thank you. so, the very sad

news from here in southport is now that three girls have died in this incident yesterday. we know that their ages are six, seven and nine. as we have been mentioning, some of those being cared for our at alder hey hospital in liverpool, which is a centre of excellence for children's health. my colleague dave guest is there for us this lunchtime. dave, the very sad news that another girl has tragically lost her life from this incident. that's right, yes. we have been told by the hospital authorities hear that they would be an update at some point during the morning but sadly that update is the one that none of us wanted to receive, and that is that a third child has now lost her life as a result of this terrible incident in southportjust about life as a result of this terrible incident in southport just about 24 hours ago. a nine—year—old girl, who died sadly this morning. that is joined by the six and seven—year—old

girls who lost their lives yesterday. we have still got five children who are critically injured, critically injured of course means that they have suffered very serious injuries which could potentially be life threatening. the medical staff here are battling throughout the night, and throughout this morning to try and save these children. their parents, we can't imagine what they are going through, as they are there waiting for further news about how their children are doing. it is a position that none of us would ever want to be in and cannot imagine being in.— ever want to be in and cannot imagine being in. ever want to be in and cannot imaaine bein: in. ~ , , ~' ., imagine being in. absolutely. i know ou have imagine being in. absolutely. i know you have been _ imagine being in. absolutely. i know you have been there _ imagine being in. absolutely. i know you have been there all— imagine being in. absolutely. i know you have been there all morning. - imagine being in. absolutely. i know you have been there all morning. it. you have been there all morning. it must have been awful, notjust for the families, but also the staff, the families, but also the staff, the doctors and nurses who are having to treat victims who were as young as six years old.— having to treat victims who were as young as six years old. yes, i mean, this is a world-famous _ young as six years old. yes, i mean, this is a world-famous hospital - young as six years old. yes, i mean, this is a world-famous hospital and l this is a world—famous hospital and it specialises in paediatric care. staff here are well accustomed to dealing with traumatised children

and their parents, but the thing that sets this apart is the fact that sets this apart is the fact that these children had not been in an accident, they have not become ill through some life changing condition. they had been stabbed whilst attending a dance event at a summer school. whilst attending a dance event at a summerschool. i mean, itjust goes beyond belief that something like that would happen. clearly, the staff here, even the hardened, experienced staff, must have been taken aback by what they had to deal with yesterday. of course, they are continuing to fight to save the lives of those five children who remain in a critical condition. find remain in a critical condition. and we also know _ remain in a critical condition. and we also know that _ remain in a critical condition. and we also know that two adults are in a critical condition after they tried to intervene while this incident was going on, to protect the children.— the children. that's right, yes. the are the children. that's right, yes. they are obviously _ the children. that's right, yes. they are obviously being - the children. that's right, yes. l they are obviously being treated elsewhere, but police said yesterday that these adults were bravely

trying to protect these children once that person went into that class, completely taking everyone by surprise, and randomly stabbing a young, innocent children. these adults apparently did their best to fight off the attack and suffered various serious injuries as a result. we don't have their identities but we know that they are in a critical condition this lunchtime. obviously their families, too, praying and hoping for some sort of miracle, that they will pull through this. sort of miracle, that they will pull through thie— sort of miracle, that they will pull throu~h this. ~ ., ,, ., through this. dave, i know you have covered the — through this. dave, i know you have covered the north _ through this. dave, i know you have covered the north west _ through this. dave, i know you have covered the north west for - through this. dave, i know you have covered the north west for many - covered the north west for many decades. southport, it isjust a very quiet seaside town, isn't it? how do you think the local community will now pull together?— will now pull together? that's ri . ht, will now pull together? that's right. yes- — will now pull together? that's right. yes- in _ will now pull together? that's right, yes. in all— will now pull together? that's right, yes. in all the - will now pull together? that's right, yes. in all the years - will now pull together? that's right, yes. in all the years i i will now pull together? that's l right, yes. in all the years i was covering the north west, southport very rarely made the news and it was usually a planning row or something like that. major crime was never really something that happened in

southport. you do hear those cliched comets from people saying you don't expect it on your own doorstep, but you really don't in southport. nobody had an inkling that what was going to happen yesterday morning and it has left everyone shocked. we have heard stories of the community coming together, people supporting one another. we talked about the football club opening up a support centre. these are things with people coming together to support one another do what they can to send their love and support to the families going through such anguish. now we have got three families who have lost very young girls in the most tragic of circumstances. yes. the question _ most tragic of circumstances. yes. the question that _ most tragic of circumstances. yes. the question that everyone - most tragic of circumstances. yes. the question that everyone is asking, and it is impossible to answer at the moment, is why? find answer at the moment, is why? and nobody will — answer at the moment, is why? situc nobody will be asking answer at the moment, is why? fific nobody will be asking that question more than those grieving parents and those very anxious parents today. why our kids because about why dance

class question why did this person do what they did? these are questions the police are trying to answer, and hopefully they will answer, and hopefully they will answer them over the coming days as they continue to interview that 17—year—old, who they say they say they are not looking for anyone else in connection with this. the legal process has to take its course and this person will be interviewed at length and if they feel there is enough evidence, ultimately they will be charged and it will go through the courts. the early stages at the moment. i willjust reiterate, what the police and everyone else is saying is please do not indulge in spec elation on social media. there is all sorts of rubbish out there at the moment and we have heard that a name bandied around at the moment is actually wrong so stop it. stop doing that. listen to the official outlets. we wait for official news before we report it to you.— wait for official news before we report it to you. absolutely. i echo those comments. _ report it to you. absolutely. i echo those comments. thank _ report it to you. absolutely. i echo those comments. thank you - report it to you. absolutely. i echo those comments. thank you very l report it to you. absolutely. i echo - those comments. thank you very much indeed. that is dave guest, our correspondent outside alder hey children's hospital in liverpool. if you are just

children's hospital in liverpool. if you arejustjoining us let me remind you of the very sad news that we have had in the last few minutes, that a third girl has died as a result of this mass stabbing incident in southport yesterday. she was a nine—year—old girl, who died in the early hours of the morning, having been taken to hospital. nine were taken to hospital. that nine—year—old girl has died, joining a six—year—old and seven—year—old who died at this event here in southport. it was a taylor swift themed music event as part of the summer holidays. of course, up and down the country parents will be dropping their children off at similar events during the summer holidays. this one has taken place in a very quiet street here in southport. we understand 25 children were involved in this event, not only dancing to taylor swift of music, there was yoga and they were

making bracelets. there have been four or —— floral tributes laid at the scene here by local people. my colleague was saying that someone from liverpool camejust colleague was saying that someone from liverpool came just because they felt they wanted to do something. there have been children's toys, stuffed animals left, and a poem written on one of the cards. a little earlier we did see the home secretary, yvette cooper, here and laying some flowers, along with the local mp and members of the merseyside police force. a little later on today there was going to be a vigil in the town, which i was talking to a local councillor about earlier on and he was saying he expected that to be very well attended. as we had in the police statement, the local football club, southport football club, was due to hold their first pre—season

friendly tonight with morecambe, but they of course have postponed that as a mark of respect for the people who lost their lives, but as they are so close to here, what they have done is opened up their doors and there are support staff there, victim support staff for locals to go along and be able to talk to someone, to actually be able to voice their feelings and get some support. it is notjust the local football club, but also the churches around here who are also offering support. we arejoined now by around here who are also offering support. we are joined now by the auxiliary bishop of liverpool. thank you so much forjoining us on bbc news in these awful, awful circumstances. good afternoon. i just wondered if i could festival get your reaction to what has happened here in southport

yesterday. i happened here in southport yesterday-— yesterday. i think yesterday afternoon. _ yesterday. i think yesterday afternoon, of _ yesterday. i think yesterday afternoon, of the _ yesterday. i think yesterday afternoon, of the sea - yesterday. i think yesterday afternoon, of the sea when | yesterday. i think yesterday i afternoon, of the sea when the yesterday. i think yesterday - afternoon, of the sea when the news started breaking, ifelt numb. i suppose i felt a shock. and then when the news came of the death of two of the young girls, i think a six—year—old and a seven—year—old, as you have mentioned earlier, the reality then began to sink in, and of course now we have heard again just a few minutes ago from yourselves, the sad news of the death of a third girl, a nine—year—old girl. so i think my thoughts nowjust turn, as the thoughts nowjust turn, as the thoughts of many, to the families who are hearing the news, trying to take it in. just over 24 hours ago they dropped the girls off at the

place where, the venue for the dance and music for it was going on, and expecting to pick them up safely a couple of hours later. obviously the last 24 hours have been something that people could never imagine happening anywhere in the world, and particularly as you say in a town like southport. it is difficult to absorb and to take in, that heavy, sad sort of feeling at the moment. what are you able to say to comfort people who have been involved in this tragedy? i people who have been involved in this tragedy?— this tragedy? i think one of the thins this tragedy? i think one of the things that _ this tragedy? i think one of the things that is _ this tragedy? i think one of the things that is happening - this tragedy? i think one of the

things that is happening in - this tragedy? i think one of the things that is happening in the | this tragedy? i think one of the - things that is happening in the area is that the holy family church, three streets away from hart street, the priest there open the doors of the priest there open the doors of the church for people who wanted to go in yesterday afternoon until the evening, and there has been a steady trickle of people coming into the church, and that is on offer again today for the whole day, along with others that you'd normally mention your broadcast. sometimes, people just want a focus on places to go to. we feel helpless and i suppose our nature is to want to do something. as the first responders did yesterday with their response to the tragedy. but the rest of us, you know, perhaps feeling that we haven't got words. i received a phone call last night from a young lady who said she wanted to pray that she did not know what to say. i

think it is just trying to, you know, accept that helplessness at the moment and obviously waiting then for the work that needs to be done to try and begin, to help us to understand and to question why this happened. i suppose it is early days yet. and us that feeling of helplessness, really. what we are good at in this country is being alongside people in these situations. it doesn't mean we have to say anything, itjust means being present to them will stop a lot of people through the media that we saw last night and today, they are just holding each other. parents hugging their children. adults hugging each other. it isjust their children. adults hugging each other. it is just being close to each other without having to say much, really. letting this shock

penetrate us, really. just to try and be there for each other, and as and be there for each other, and as a community of faith we turn to god but we might not have the words, as the lady said last night to pray, but to really just the lady said last night to pray, but to reallyjust be conscious of the god who created us and who i am sure is equally sad by what has unfolded in the last 24 hours in southport. unfolded in the last 24 hours in southport-— unfolded in the last 24 hours in southort. , , ., southport. yes. during the morning i have seen people _ southport. yes. during the morning i have seen people just _ southport. yes. during the morning i have seen people just come - southport. yes. during the morning i have seen people just come up - southport. yes. during the morning i have seen people just come up and l have seen people just come up and stand in silence and pray. a man in a van came and rolled down his window and he said he just wanted to say a little prayer. there is going to be a vigil tonight. do you think those mass community events will help ease the pain that is going to

be in this community notjust four days, but he to come? be in this community not “ust four days, but he to come?_ be in this community not “ust four days, but he to come? yes, they are uuite days, but he to come? yes, they are quite powerful. _ days, but he to come? yes, they are quite powerful, those _ days, but he to come? yes, they are quite powerful, those events. - days, but he to come? yes, they are quite powerful, those events. i - quite powerful, those events. i remember some years ago the bombings in warrington where two young boys lost their life on a saturday morning. i think it was the day before mother's dayjust over 30 years ago. and subsequently think there was an adult, a mother who lost her life as well, and i remember i was in skelmersdale at the time and i remember going into warrington and just being on the streets with other people, most of them i did not know but some of them i did, andjust them i did not know but some of them i did, and just being silent, being present. i suppose that being present. i suppose that being present is a powerful sign. that's the way signs and symbols were, isn't it? we don't have to put words

in them. theyjust say isn't it? we don't have to put words in them. they just say what we cannot really express in our own words. language fails us, i think, at this point. so i think that will be a help to people in southport. like i said earlier, we like to do things, even if it isjust like i said earlier, we like to do things, even if it is just being with others in silence, perhaps praying quietly and there might be an opportunity to pray out loud at some point, butjust to do what we can to comfort each other at this very sad time. can to comfort each other at this very sad time-— can to comfort each other at this very sad time. bishop, thank you very sad time. bishop, thank you very much _ very sad time. bishop, thank you very much for— very sad time. bishop, thank you very much forjoining _ very sad time. bishop, thank you very much forjoining us - very sad time. bishop, thank you very much forjoining us on - very sad time. bishop, thank you very much forjoining us on bbc i very much forjoining us on bbc news. we appreciate your time. as we have been saying, this event was a taylor swift themed music event, and taylor swift themed music event, and taylor swift themed music event, and taylor swift herself has posted on social media this morning. i will read what she said. "the horror of yesterday's attacked 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, 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." the words of taylor swift and some of herfans families." the words of taylor swift and some of her fans have already raised over £20,000. ijust want and some of her fans have already raised over £20,000. i just want to pause and move because you can see members of the emergency services, more members of the emergency services, who are coming and laying flowers. i think maybe these are firefighters because there is a fire station very nearby. they were some of the first people to get to the scene and offer that stayed yesterday. there you can see again bringing flowers, standing in

silence. honouring the victims here in southport. there they are, walking away in silence. and if you arejustjoining us, we have had the news in the last half an hour, or so, that sadly a third child has died as a result of this incident. a nine—year —year—old girl died in hospital overnight. shejoins nine—year —year—old girl died in hospital overnight. she joins a six and a seven—year—old girl who died in this incident yesterday. now, as we have mentioned, a 17—year—old boy is in custody. he has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. now, my colleague has been working with the bbc news team to try and find out what we know about this incident, and a little earlier he gave us an update on what we do

know. the attack took place 24 hours ago in southport. it took place in a class, a dance and yoga class for children. we believe it was fully subscribed, up to 25 children, and the attack took place with a knife. there were 11 children... well, two children killed and nine others in hospital, including six in a critical condition, two adult in a critical condition, two adult in a critical condition. one of them was leanne lucas, who was running the class. we can report more about the suspect. the 17—year—old male was arrested by the police. they said they recovered a knife. he is being held in custody and the police will question him. the police are trying to establish a motive for the attack, but it isn't being treated

as terror —related. in terms of the suspect himself, he was born in cardiff, the police said it yesterday. we understand he moved to southport in 2013, so just over a decade ago. he has an older brother who is also born in cardiff. and his parents are from rwanda. and. parents are from rwanda. and, daniel, parents are from rwanda. and, daniel. what — parents are from rwanda. and, daniel, what will _ parents are from rwanda. and, daniel, what will the _ parents are from rwanda. and, daniel, what will the police - parents are from rwanda. and, daniel, what will the police be doing in terms of the investigation now? ~ ~ , . now? well, i think they will be workin: now? well, i think they will be working to _ now? well, i think they will be working to understand - now? well, i think they will be working to understand a - now? well, i think they will be | working to understand a motive now? well, i think they will be - working to understand a motive for what happens. with a murder arrest, there's only so long the police can hold a person before making a charging decision. they can hold him for longer than a day but we will see about a charging decision. in terms of the motive, once someone is

arrested in the uk