A 17-year-old boy has been charged with murder and attempted murder after 13 people, including 11 children, were stabbed at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport. The suspect, from the village of Banks, Lancashire, faces three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder, and one count of possession of an offensive weapon. Five children remain in critical condition, and two adults are also critical after being injured while trying to protect the children.
The suspect, who cannot be named, was arrested on Monday. The police have been granted more time to question him. The chief constable of Merseyside Police, Serena Kennedy, thanked other forces for their support and confirmed that the investigation is ongoing. The Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Mersey-Cheshire reminded the public to not prejudice the ongoing legal proceedings.
After the charges were announced, violent disorder erupted in central London and Hartlepool, resulting in numerous arrests and injuries to police officers. In Southport, more than 50 police officers were injured in far-right riots following the tragic stabbings. The mother of one of the deceased children pleaded for peace, emphasizing that the community was already in grief.
Assistant Chief Constable for Merseyside Police, Alex Goss, reiterated the commitment to identifying all involved in the violence and praised the community for coming together to clean up and rebuild after the chaos. The incident has caused shock and sadness in the community, and authorities are working to ensure justice is served while maintaining peace and order.
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