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UK police charges teen with murder in Southport child killings

Murder charge against 17-year-old boy comes amid continued violent protests over knife attack at a dance class

By Web Desk

August 01, 2024

Police officers stand on duty behind a cordon in Southport, northwest England, on July 31, 2024 following clashes after a deadly knife attack. — AFP

British police on Thursday charged a 17-year-old boy with the murder of three young girls and 10 counts of attempted murder in a knife attack at a summer dance class that shocked the nation and sparked two nights of violent protests.

The unnamed teen will appear at Liverpool Magistrates Court on Thursday over Monday's incident at a "Taylor Swift yoga and dance workshop" summer vacation event for children in the seaside town of Southport.

Disturbances erupted outside the Southport Islamic Society Mosque after false rumours on social media claimed a “radical Islamist migrant” was responsible for the stabbings, Reuters reported.

Anti-immigrant protesters gathered near the prime minister's Downing Street residence in London, on Wednesday, shouting "Save our kids", "We want our country back" and "Stop the boats", leading to arrests of over 100 people.

However, the police have said the attack was not terrorism-related and that the suspect was born in Britain, quashing speculation on his origins.

"Whilst these charges are a significant milestone within this investigation, this remains very much a live investigation," Chief Constable Serena Kennedy told a press conference shortly after midnight.

As well as killing three girls aged six to nine, the attack left eight other children with stab wounds. Five remained in critical condition in hospital, along with two adults who tried to protect them, police have said.

A mother hugs her child as they look at floral tributes for the victims of a deadly knife attack in Southport, northwest England, on July 31, 2024. — AFP

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has denounced as "violent thugs" those who clashed with police over the attack, saying they would "feel the full force of the law".

More than 50 police officers were hurt in the violent protests in Southport.

Starmer is due to meet police leaders on Thursday to offer them the government's full backing following the violence.

"While the right to peaceful protest must be protected at all costs, he will be clear that criminals who exploit that right in order to sow hatred and carry out violent acts will face the full force of the law," his office said.