To receive free real-time news alerts directly to your inbox, sign up for our news emails
Sign up for our free news emails
Multiple casualties have been reported in a serious stabbing incident in Southport.
Armed police arrested a man and seized a knife after officers were called to reports of a stabbing at a property on Hart Street on Monday.
Members of the public were urged to avoid the area around the street after the force was alerted to the incident at around 11.50am.
A woman who lives nearby told the The Liverpool Echo According to a local newspaper, residents had warned each other on WhatsApp groups to lock their windows and doors after hearing reports of a man “running around and stabbing people”.
In a statement, Merseyside Police said: “We can confirm that emergency services are in Southport following a major incident this morning, Monday 29th July.
“At approximately 11.50am we were called to a property on Hart Street to reports of a stabbing. Multiple casualties have been reported and further details will be confirmed as soon as possible.
“Armed police officers arrested a man and seized a knife. He was taken to the police station.
“Please avoid the area while we deal with this incident. There is no broader threat to the public.”
Local business owner describes scene as ‘horror movie’
A local business owner, who was one of the people who called police, said the Southport incident was like “a scene from a horror movie”.
Colin Parry, owner of Masters Vehicle Body Repairs on Hart Street, said he believed six or seven “young girls” had been stabbed.
He told the PA news agency: “Mothers are coming here now and screaming. It’s like a scene from a horror film.”
“The police stopped him,” he added. “It’s like he’s from America, not sunny Southport.”
Athena StavrouJuly 29, 2024 2:05 PM
Children among eight stabbed
Eight patients with stab wounds have been treated at the scene in Southport so far and taken to hospitals including Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, North West Ambulance Service said.
In a message posted on X, formerly Twitter, NWAS said: “The North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) is responding to a major incident following a call at 11.48am to Hart Street in Southport following reports of multiple stab wounds.
“We dispatched 13 ambulances to the scene as well as specialist resources from our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART), an air ambulance and medics.
“So far NWAS has treated eight patients with stab wounds who have been taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Aintree University Hospital and Southport and Formby Hospital.”
Tara CobhamJuly 29, 2024 2:03 PM
Full statement from Merseyside Police on the incident
“We can confirm that emergency services are in Southport following a major incident this morning, Monday 29th July.
“At around 11.50am we were called to a property on Hart Street to reports of a stabbing.
“There are a number of casualties reported and further details will be confirmed as soon as possible.
“Armed police officers arrested a man and seized a knife. He was taken to the police station.
“Please avoid the area while we deal with this incident. There is no broader threat to the public.
“Follow us for more updates.”
Tara CobhamJuly 29, 2024 2:01 PM
Multiple casualties reported in major incident as police arrest man
Multiple casualties have been reported in a serious stabbing incident in Southport.
Armed police arrested a man and seized a knife after officers were called to reports of a stabbing at a property on Hart Street on Monday.
Members of the public were urged to avoid the area around the street after the force was alerted to the incident at around 11.50am.
Tara CobhamJuly 29, 2024 2:00 p.m.
