Southport stabbings: police confirm two children killed in knife attack

Merseyside chief constable says nine other children were injured, including six left in a critical condition

• Tell us: have you been affected by the incident in Southport?

At least eight people, feared to include several children, have been stabbed in Southport, where a man with a knife was arrested.

Armed police arrested a man and seized a knife after being called to the major incident" at a property on Hart Street, in Southport, north of Liverpool, at about 11.50am on Monday.

The man has been taken to a police station and there was no wider threat to the public, police said.

North West ambulance service said it had so far treated eight patients with stab injuries, who have been taken to Alder Hey children's hospital, Aintree university hospital and Southport and Formby hospital.

Alder Hey children's hospital declared a major incident and asked parents not to bring their children to the emergency department unless it was urgent.

The home secretary, Yvette Cooper, has said she is deeply concerned" over the major incident in Southport.

Patrick Hurley, MP for Southport, said:

I am deeply concerned by the reports coming from Merseyside police about a major incident on Hart Street in the constituency.

I am hoping for the best possible outcomes to the casualties affected. My thoughts go out to all those affected, their loved ones and to the entire community.