Three-minute silence observed for Bebe King, Alice da Silva Aguiar and Elsie Dot Stancombe as Prime Minister says “whole nation stands with families”
A moment of silence has been held for the victims of the tragic Southport attack last year, in a public vigil in Merseyside.
The Prime Minister said that the “whole nation” stands with the families of those affected, after the tribute at 3pm today. Sir Keir Starmer has paid tribute to the victims of the Southport stabbings a year on from the attack.
The horrifying attack claimed the lives of Bebe King, six, Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, who were attending a Taylor Swift-themed dance class at the Hart Space on Hart Street on 29 July 2024.
Prime Minister’s Tribute
“One year on, the whole nation stands with the families of Bebe, Alice and Elsie”, the Prime Minister said in a statement on X.
“We stand together in grief, in honour of the memory of those wonderful children, and in admiration of the families who have shown strength beyond words.”
He continued: “We stand with all the children and adults who still bear the physical and mental scars of that day – and in awe of those who risked their lives to help.
“And we stand with the people of Southport, who have shown Britain the meaning of community. The nation wants to put its arms around you all.
“We will come together today to show our sorrow and solidarity. But also to show our determination to uphold the true legacy of Bebe, Alice and Elsie – one of joy, kindness and love.”
Police Stand in Solidarity
Merseyside Police officers announced they will “stand in solidarity” with victims and observe a three-minute silence in memory of the Southport victims, the force said.
In a post on its social media accounts, the force said: “One year on, words still fall short.
“The loss we all feel today as we remember Alice, Elsie and Bebe remains immeasurable. We stand with their families, friends, those who were injured and the many others affected by what happened on that tragic day.
“At 3pm our officers and staff will be standing in solidarity to observe a three-minute silence in memory of the three girls and all those involved.
“May we continue to honour their memory with kindness, compassion and the strength of togetherness.
“Alice, Elsie and Bebe will forever be in our hearts.”
Town Hall Gardens Vigil
A vigil was held in Southport Town Hall gardens at 3pm, where several bunches of flowers were left in a special area for tributes.
A teddy bear was also left amongst the flowers in tribute to Alice, Elsie and Bebe.
Council notices were pinned to trees in the gardens, encouraging people to donate to local causes. The notices said: “The events which took place in Southport in July 2024 were truly shocking and members of our communities continue to be affected by what happened.”
“There remains a wealth of support available for people to access via www.sefton.gov.uk/southporttogether.”
The Tragic Events of July 2024
The attack occurred on 29 July 2024 when 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana entered a Taylor Swift-themed yoga and dance workshop at the Hart Space, attended by 26 children. The workshop, which included bracelet-making activities, was fully booked and aimed at children aged 6-11 during the first week of the summer holidays.
Three young girls died as a result of the attack – Bebe King, six, from Marshside Primary School; Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven; and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, a Year 4 pupil at Churchtown Primary School who was a Portuguese national whose parents were originally from Madeira.
Eight other children suffered stab wounds with five in critical condition at the time, alongside two adults who were also critically injured trying to protect the children. Those injured were taken to multiple hospitals in the area, including Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.
Community Response and Aftermath
In the immediate aftermath of the attack, thousands attended a vigil outside the Atkinson cultural centre in Eastbank Square on 30 July 2024, with flowers and handwritten notes left at the scene. Taylor Swift fans launched a ‘Swifties for Southport’ JustGiving page that raised over £300,000 for the Alder Hey Children’s Charity.
The attack led to widespread riots across the UK after misinformation about the attacker’s identity spread on social media. Far-right protesters clashed with police in Southport on the evening of the vigil, damaging a mosque and injuring more than 50 police officers.
Rudakubana was charged with three counts of murder, ten counts of attempted murder, and possession of a bladed article. He is currently awaiting trial.
Looking Forward
Discussions are ongoing about creating a permanent memorial for the three girls. Southport MP Patrick Hurley has indicated that talks are taking place about “something that both memorialises the victims but also paints a positive vision and a positive future for Southport.”
The community continues to show resilience and unity in the face of tragedy, with support services remaining available for those affected by the events of that day.
As the town marks this solemn anniversary, the focus remains on honouring the memory of three young lives lost too soon and supporting all those who continue to be affected by the tragic events of 29 July 2024.
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