'Lancashire will never forget these three beautiful girls'

Lancashire County Council leader Stephen Atkinson says the County Council will stand ‘shoulder to shoulder’ with families impacted by the Southport attack - two years on.

Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine; Bebe King, six; and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, died in an attack at the Taylor Swift-themed dance class on July 29, 2024.

Coun Atkinson said: “As we approach (two years since) the devastating attack next Wednesday, my thoughts are first and foremost with the families of the three beautiful girls whose lives were so cruelly taken.

“The news that AR is being transferred from prison to a psychiatric hospital will undoubtedly be deeply distressing for their families at an already unimaginably difficult time. This latest development will simply deepen their anguish further and I know it will also be upsetting for the wider family, friends and community who continue to live with the lasting impact of this horrific attack.

“Today, our focus should remain where it belongs, on the three precious girls and the love that continues to surround their memory and on the survivors who are working so hard to move on with their lives.

“Lancashire County Council stands shoulder to shoulder with the families and all those affected by this truly terrible crime.

“Lancashire will never forget these three beautiful girls. We remember them, we honour them and we stand united with their families, their loved ones and the wider community.”

Southport will fall silent next week to mark the two years since the tragedy.

A three-minute silence will be held across the town at 3pm to remember those affected and flags will be lowered to half-mast on all public buildings.

In an open letter to the people of Southport published on Thursday, Sefton Council asked people to consider making donations to local causes instead of leaving floral tributes.