At least eight people have been taken to hospital in the UK following a reported mass stabbing incident in Southport.
Armed police have detained a man who has been taken to a police station, as well as seizing a knife. In a statement, the police said that there is “no wider threat to the public”.
LATEST | Emergency services are in #Southport after a major incident this morning (Mon).
One man has been arrested and a knife seized. There are casualties.There is no wider threat to the public.
Follow us for updates and please avoid speculation.
https://t.co/APJZ9ggZcV pic.twitter.com/ITHmsDTIwm— Merseyside Police (@MerseyPolice) July 29, 2024
The Liverpool Echo reports that a woman who lives minutes away from the incident that took place on Hart Street said that local WhatsApp groups claimed “a man was running around stabbing people”.
Colin Parry, a local business owner, told the PA news agency that several people had been stabbed.
“The mothers are coming here now and screaming. It is like a scene from a horror movie,” he said.
The North West Ambulance Service said that its paramedics are responding to reports of “multiple stabbings” in Southport and that it has treated eight patients with stab injuries, some of whom were taken to a children’s hospital.
(1/3) 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 stabbings. pic.twitter.com/Fc385oqrhx
— North West Ambulance Service (@NWAmbulance) July 29, 2024
Alder Hey Children’s Hospital has confirmed it has declared a major incident and has asked parents only to bring their children to the Emergency Department “if it is urgent”.