Southport stabbing latest: Bebe King’s sister witnessed attack as Alice da Silva Aguiar final photo released
The family of Bebe King have paid tribute to their “kind, and spirited girl” and said her older sister witnessed the attack and escaped.
Bebe, was killed alongside Alice da Silva Aguia, nine, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, in the attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on 29 July.
In a statement, Bebe’s parents, Lauren and Ben King, said she “was full of joy, light, and love” and said their older daughter, nine-year-old Genie, had seen the attack and managed to escape.
It comes just a day after hundreds of mourners lined the streets of Southport for the first of three funerals for the young girls who were killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift dance class.
Dressed in white, Alice da Silva Aguiar’s parents Sergio and Alexandra were joined by up to 300 mourners at St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Merseyside, including the paramedics, police officers and firefighters who tried to save her life.
Following the service, Alice’s grieving family released a photo of her waiting to get into the dance class, smiling with a life-size cardboard cut-out of the singer in the doorway of the Hart Space studio.
Key Points
Bebe King’s parents reveal last funeral wish as procession date announced
Hundreds gather to pay respects at funeral of Alice da Silva Aguiar in Southport
Alice da Silva Aguiar’s parents pay tribute to their ‘perfect dream child’ at her funeral
Alice’s parents condemn UK riots that erupted in name of daughter, says Chief Constable
Archbishop of Canterbury says far-right rioters are unchristian
Nine-year-old Southport stabbing victim Alice da Silva Aguiar proudly shows off colourful makeup in newly released video
11:16 , Joe Middleton
A video of the nine-year-old girl killed in a stabbing attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop in Liverpool has been released by her parents on the day of her funeral.
Alice da Silva Aguiar was one of the three girls who died in a stabbing attack in Southport on Monday 29 July.
As her funeral took place, her family released a home video of Alice showing off colourful makeup.
“Hey guys, it’s me, I got [sic] my makeup on to test my teacher, look at this,” the young girl said, proudly showing off her orange eyeshadow.
“Bye guys, see you later, bye,” Alice tells the camera before throwing up a peace sign with her fingers.
Archbishop of Canterbury labels far-right ‘unchristian’ and condemns use of Christian imagery in the riots
10:39 , Joe Middleton
The Archbishop of Canterbury has labelled the far-right “unchristian” and condemned the use of Christian imagery in the riots as “an offence to our faith”.
Justin Welby made the remarks condemning the violent unrest, which he described as “racist”, “anti-Muslim, anti-refugee”, in an article for the Guardian newspaper.
The country’s most senior Christian leader weighed in following a week of disorder that began after a mass stabbing of children at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport in July.
Rioters attacked police, mosques, shops, and a hotel housing asylum seekers after incorrect rumours that the suspect in the stabbings was an asylum seeker who arrived in the UK on a small boat were spread via social media, appearing to fuel the unrest.
Police had arrested 779 people in connection with the rioting, the National Police Chiefs’ Council said on Saturday.
The archbishop‘s article centred on imploring Christians to distance themselves from the far-right, writing: “Let me say clearly now to Christians that they should not be associated with any far-right group - because those groups are unchristian.”
He added that Christian iconography had been “exploited” by the far-right and served as “an offence to our faith”.
Speaking directly to Muslims and other faiths, Mr Welby said: “We denounce people misusing such imagery as fundamentally antichristian.”
Mr Welby said the riots were “detonated by lies and fuelled by deliberate misinformation, spread quickly online by bad actors with malignant motivations.”
Bebe King’s family pay tribute to ‘kind, and spirited girl’ and reveal older sister witnessed the attack and escaped
10:15 , Joe Middleton
The family of Bebe King have paid tribute to their “kind, and spirited girl” and said her older sister witnessed the attack and escaped.
Bebe, was killed alongside Alice da Silva Aguia, nine, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, in the attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on 29 July.
In a statement, Bebe’s parents, Lauren and Ben King, said she “was full of joy, light, and love” and said their older daughter, nine-year-old Genie, had seen the attack and managed to escape.
They said: “The outpouring of love and support from our community and beyond has been a source of incredible comfort during this unimaginably difficult time.
“From the pink lights illuminating Sefton and Liverpool, to the pink bows, flowers, balloons, cards, and candles left in her memory, we have been overwhelmed by the kindness and compassion shown to our family.
“The response from Southport, the whole of Liverpool, and even further afield has deeply touched our hearts, and we are so grateful to everyone who has reached out to us.”
Bebe King’s parents reveal last funeral wish as procession date announced
09:35 , Salma Ouaguira
The parents of six-year-old victim Bebe King, who died along with Alice Dasilva Aguiar and Elsie Dot Stancombe during the Southport stabbing attack, have revealed the funeral date of their daughter.
The family announced the “celebration of life” of their daughter will take place on Saturday 17 August at 11am.
The private funeral procession will be held at St Cuthbert’s Church.
Bebe’s family have also asked the public to wear bright colours and bring donations in lieu of flowers for the Snowdrop Bereavement Team at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.
Watch: Family release footage of nine-year-old girl killed in Southport stabbings
09:21 , Joe Middleton
Alice da Silva Aguia’s parents praised for courage in calling for riots to stop
09:20 , Salma Ouaguira
The parents of nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar were praised by a senior police officer for their “courage” in calling for violent riots to stop after their daughter’s death.
Serena Kennedy, Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, was among those who addressed mourners at Alice’s funeral at St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Southport on Sunday.
She told of being “ashamed” that Alice’s father Sergio and mother Alexandra had to “consider” the violent disorder while planning the service, saying she hoped those involved are “hanging their head in shame”.
Addressing the couple, Ms Kennedy said: “You have shown great courage in asking me to be here today to give a message from you, Alice’s family, to say that you do not want there to be any more violence on the streets of the United Kingdom in the name of your daughter.
“I am ashamed and I’m so sorry that you had to even consider this in the planning of the funeral of your beautiful daughter, Alice. And I hope that anyone who has taken part in the violent disorder on our streets over the past 13 days is hanging their head in shame at the pain that they have caused you, a grieving family.
“I know that you asked that there is no more violence and that you are now given time as a family to grieve in peace. And that our traumatised community is allowed time to heal, the time it needs to start to heal.”
Three to appear in court after Belfast rioting
08:55 , Salma Ouaguira
Three men will appear in court in Northern Ireland on Monday, facing charges connected with recent rioting in Belfast.
A 26-year-old man has been charged with a number of offences, including riot, arson, conspiracy to commit arson, three counts of possession of an offensive weapon with intent, and two of criminal damage.
He will appear at Belfast Magistrates court. A 58-year-old man has been charged with possessing written material intended or likely to stir up hatred or arouse fear.
He will appear at Belfast Magistrates’ Court. A 30-year-old man has been charged with intentionally encouraging or assisting riot, publishing written material intended to stir up hatred, sending menacing messages through a public electronic communications network, and possession of fireworks without a licence.
He will appear at Downpatrick Magistrates’ Court.
More than 900 rioters arrested and 466 charged nationwide
08:40 , Salma Ouaguira
The National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC) has released the latest figures showing the number of arrests and charges made across the UK since 29 July in relation to the ongoing disorder.
Arrests now amount to 927 and 466 people have been charged on various accounts, including for racial hatred.
Coming up: Tory councillor’s wife to appear in court for racial hatred charges
08:25 , Salma Ouaguira
The wife of a Tory councillor is due to appear in court in relation to tweet calling for attacks on asylum seekers.
Lucy Connolly could face 18 months in prison on charges of stirring up racial hatred when far-right violence swept the country.
She was refused bail and will appear at Northampton Crown Court accused of writing tweets against asylum seekers.
Posted on X, fomerly Twitter, she wrote: “set fire to all the f****** hotels full of the b*******” on the day of a stabbing in Southport that left three young children dead.
Key questions: Social media moderation and inciting violence online
08:10 , Salma Ouaguira
The role of social media in the violence and disorder on Britain’s streets has become a key issue, with the moderation and regulation of platforms coming under scrutiny.
Misinformation spreading online in part helped sparked the riots, and now people are being arrested and charged for inciting hatred or violence through social media platforms.
Here is a closer look at how social media content moderation currently works, how posting hateful material can be a crime and how regulation of the sector could change moderation going forward.
– How do social media sites moderate content currently?
All major social media platforms have community rules that they require their users to follow, but how they enforce these rules can vary depending on how their content moderation teams are set up and how they carry out that process.
Most of the biggest sites have several thousand human moderators looking at content that has been flagged to them or has been found proactively by human staff or software and AI-powered tools designed to spot harmful material.
– What are the limitations as it stands?
There are several key issues with content moderation in general, including: the size of social media makes it hard to find and remove everything harmful posted; moderators – both human and artificial – can struggle to spot nuanced or localised context and, therefore, sometimes mistake the harmful for the innocent; and moderation is heavily reliant on users reporting content to moderators – something which does not always happen in online echo chambers.
Furthermore, the use of encrypted messaging on some sites means not all content is publicly visible and can be spotted and reported by other users. Instead, they rely on those inside encrypted groups reporting potentially harmful content.
Read more here:
Key questions: Social media moderation and inciting violence online
Exclusive: How children as young as nine are being indoctrinated by the far-right
08:00 , Salma Ouaguira
Children as young as nine are being radicalised by their far-right relatives, a reformed neo-Nazi has warned.
Nigel Bromage, who was involved in far-right groups for two decades but now runs a deradicalisation charity, told The Independent the youngest person that his organisation has supported was a boy who was using neo-Nazi references after being radicalised by his older brother.
Discussing the recent explosion of violence, he warned the far right is radicalising lay people to use as “pawns” to perpetrate violence and destruction.
Extremists have managed to get people to believe the misinformation and lies they are pushing and mobilise them as people “feel voiceless and unheard”, he added.
Our women’s correspondent Maya Oppenheim and Joe Middleton have the full story:
How children as young as nine are being indoctrinated by the far-right
IN FOCUS | How I was radicalised on Telegram – and came out the other side
07:50 , Salma Ouaguira
The app became the epicentre of disinformation during the far-right riots last week – but it’s long been a platform for conspiracy.
Two formerly radicalised users tell Zoë Beaty how they fell down the rabbit hole:
How I was radicalised on Telegram – and came out the other side
Watch: Family release footage of nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar following funeral service
07:40 , Salma Ouaguira
Cooper says respect for police must be restored after riots
07:30 , Salma Ouaguira
Home SecretaryYvette Cooper has said respect for the police must be restored after they faced “brazen abuse and contempt” during rioting.
Attacks on local communities and police are a “disgraceful assault on the rule of law itself,” she said.
“As home secretary, I am not prepared to tolerate the brazen abuse and contempt which a minority have felt able to show towards our men and women in uniform, or the disrespect for law and order that has been allowed to grow in recent years,” Ms Cooper wrote in the Daily Telegraph.
“As well as punishing those responsible for the last fortnight’s violent disorder, we must take action to restore respect for the police and respect for the law.”
Click here for the full story.
Man arrested over Newtownards mosque attack
07:26 , Salma Ouaguira
A man has been arrested following an attack on a mosque in Newtownards.
A petrol bomb was thrown at the mosque in Co Down in the early hours of Saturday with graffiti sprayed on the front door and walls of the building.
The man, 42, was arrested on suspicion of several offences including attempted arson, possessing a petrol bomb and attempted intimidation following a search of two properties in the town on Sunday.
He remains in police custody. Police said the petrol bomb did not ignite. A Police Service of Northern Ireland spokesperson appealed to the public to come forward with any further information.
“Enquiries are continuing and anyone with any information or footage that could assist the investigation is asked to contact police,” they said.
Northern Ireland’s first minister and deputy first minister condemned the attack and violence in Londonderry, in which 10 police officers were injured.
Michelle O’Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly said the incidents were “wrong, unacceptable and rejected” by the vast majority of the community. In a joint statement, they said: “They are disgraceful manifestations of criminality and have absolutely no justification.”
Archbishop of Canterbury says far-right rioters are unchristian
07:20 , Salma Ouaguira
The Archbishop of Canterbury has labelled the far-right “unchristian” and condemned the use of Christian imagery in the riots as “an offence to our faith”.
Justin Welby made the remarks condemning the violent unrest, which he described as “racist”, “anti-Muslim, anti-refugee”, in an article for the Guardian newspaper.
The country’s most senior Christian leader weighed in following a week of disorder that began after a mass stabbing of children at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport in July.
The archbishop’s called Christians to distance themselves from the far-right, writing: “Let me say clearly now to Christians that they should not be associated with any far-right group – because those groups are unchristian.”
He added that Christian iconography had been “exploited” by the far-right and served as “an offence to our faith”.
Speaking directly to Muslims and other faiths, Mr Welby said: “We denounce people misusing such imagery as fundamentally antichristian.”
Mr Welby said the riots were “detonated by lies and fuelled by deliberate misinformation, spread quickly online by bad actors with malignant motivations.”
He added: “The lies and misinformation flourished in fertile ground cultivated by years of rhetoric from some of our press and politicians, arriving at a point where some felt emboldened to try to set fire to a hotel housing asylum seekers and target mosques.”
The archbishop also rejected the description of the riots as “protests” and said they were “criminal” and “must be controlled”.
‘Keep dancing’: Alice da Silva Aguiar’s parents pay emotional tribute to ‘beloved angel'
07:00 , Tara Cobham
Alice da Silva Aguiar’s parents described their nine-year-old daughter as their “beloved angel” who they hope “keeps dancing”.
Speaking for her funeral service at St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Southport on Sunday, Alice’s father Sergio and mother Alexandra said: “Moving forward will be hard. Some days are better than others, but none will be perfect. Some moments we are weak and we say wild things. But we made a promise to always be there for each other in moments of despair, a pinky promise.
“We share a strong bond and we’ll always have each other to rely on. We won’t be alone. We are surrounded by a wonderful community and their full support, family and friends, neighbours, work colleagues, the wonderful servicemen and women who serve the community, your school, your church and all your friends and their parents.
“We have the full support of the country and the privilege of multiplying that by two. For that, we’re thankful.
“For now, our beloved Angel, keep dancing, mummy and daddy will always, always love you.”
Children to learn about fake news in curriculum overhaul after UK riots sparked by killings
06:00 , Tara Cobham
Schools will teach children about spotting extremist content and fake news online in an overhaul of the curriculum after far-right riots erupted across the UK following the fatal knife attack in Southport.
The education secretary announced on Saturday that English, ICT (information and communication technology) and maths are among the lessons that will be used to “arm” pupils against “putrid conspiracy theories”.
Students will begin acquiring the critical thinking skills that enable identifying misinformation online as young as five, said Bridget Phillipson.
Read the full report here:
Children to learn about spotting fake news online in curriculum overhaul after riots
Watch: Family of Alice da Silva Aguiar joined by emergency workers for funeral
05:00 , Tara Cobham
Recap: Taxi driver who dropped off Southport suspect ‘still traumatised’ by killings
04:00 , Tara Cobham
A taxi driver is said to still be traumatised after he dropped off the suspect who allegedly stabbed three young girls to death at a Taylor Swift dance class
Bebe King, six, Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, died in a knife attack at the Hart Space in Southport, Merseyside, on Monday July 29.
Gary Poland, a Southport-based taxi driver, is said to blame himself for the killings feeling he could have done more to stop them.
Barney Davis reports:
Taxi driver who dropped off Southport suspect ‘still traumatised’ by killings
Recap: Bebe King’s sister witnessed fatal stabbing attack and escaped, family says
03:00 , Tara Cobham
The family of Bebe King, who died after being stabbed in Southport have described how their other daughter witnessed and managed to escape the attack, and paid tribute to both sisters.
Parents Lauren and Ben King said their world had been shattered by the death of their precious youngest daughter on 29 July at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class at the Hart Space.
They praised the extreme bravery of their older daughter, Genie, after revealing that the nine-year-old was in the same class and saw the horrific attack unfold.
Read the full report here:
Sister of Southport victim Bebe King witnessed attack and escaped, family says
Alice’s parents also attended celebration of life service for nine-year-old earlier this week
02:00 , Tara Cobham
Alice da Silva Aguiar’s parents also attended a celebration of life service for the nine-year-old earlier this week, which is traditional in their home country of Portugal one week after a loved one has died.
Mourners paid tribute to “kind and caring” Alice Aguiar at St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Southport on Tuesday, the same church where her funeral was held on Sunday.
Alice’s family and friends read tributes at the well-attended “celebration of life” memorial service, led by Father John Heneghan, which featured hymns and speeches read in English and Portuguese.
Attendees dabbed their eyes as they comforted each other and listened to music sung by a guitarist and a choir.
One speaker, who spoke on behalf of Alice’s family, fought back tears as she said: “Alice, you are the most beautiful, strongest girl in the world and I hope you know we love you from the bottom of our hearts. Keep smiling and dancing with the girls.”
She read out another message from the family, which said: “We love you Alice. Your smile is extremely contagious and full of joy. You never fail to uplift everyone’s mood.”
One of Alice’s classmates said: “You will be in our hearts forever. You are the most kindest person in the world, and we know that you are the strongest girl we have ever met.”
A member of staff from Alice’s school read out messages from her classmates, including one which said: “Alice, so kind and caring, with a smile so bright, forever in our hearts.”
The congregation gathered for a rendition of You Are My Sunshine outside the church following the ceremony and applauded after releasing white balloons.
‘There are no adequate words to express Southport’s shock and distress,' says local MP
01:00 , Tara Cobham
The MP for Southport has said “there are no adequate words to express the town’s shock and distress” as a funeral was held in the town for Alice da Silva Aguiar following the mass stabbing.
Labour MP Patrick Hurley said: “There are no adequate words to express the town’s shock and distress at the atrocity which befell Alice and the other little girls two weeks ago.”
In pictures: Emotional funeral service held for Alice da Silva Aguiar
Monday 12 August 2024 00:00 , Tara Cobham
Hundreds line Southport streets for funeral of ‘dream child’ Alice da Silva Aguiar
Sunday 11 August 2024 23:00 , Tara Cobham
Hundreds of mourners have lined the streets of Southport for the funeral of “dream child” Alice da Silva Aguiar who is one of three young girls killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift dance class.
In the first of three tragic funerals, emotional tributes were paid to the nine-year-old as her parents were joined by up to 300 members of family and friends at St Patrick’s Catholic Church on Sunday, including the paramedics, police officers and firefighters who tried to save her life.
Dressed in white, the nine-year-old’s father Sergio and mother Alexandra praised their “beloved angel” during the service, saying she was dedicated to dance and hoping for her to “keep dancing”, before later releasing a series of photographs of Alice, which included a number relating to her dancing passion.
Read the full report here:
Hundreds line Southport streets for funeral of ‘dream child’ Alice da Silva Aguiar
Family of Alice da Silva Aguiar joined by emergency workers for nine-year-old’s funeral
Sunday 11 August 2024 22:00 , Tara Cobham
Family of Alice da Silva Aguiar joined for nine-year-old’s funeral
Alice da Silva Aguia’s parents praised for courage in calling for riots to stop
Sunday 11 August 2024 21:00 , Tara Cobham
The parents of nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar were praised by a senior police officer for their “courage” in calling for violent riots to stop after their daughter’s death.
Serena Kennedy, Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, was among those who addressed mourners at Alice’s funeral at St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Southport on Sunday.
She told of being “ashamed” that Alice’s father Sergio and mother Alexandra had to “consider” the violent disorder while planning the service, saying she hoped those involved are “hanging their head in shame”.
Ted Hennessey reports:
Alice da Silva Aguia’s parents praised for courage in calling for riots to stop
We are letting you go dancing now Alice, headteacher says in tearful tribute
Sunday 11 August 2024 19:00 , Tara Cobham
Alice da Silva Aguiar’s headteacher has paid an emotional tribute to the nine-year-old at her funeral, tearfully saying “teach those angels a few dance moves”.
Jinnie Payne, Alice’s headteacher at Churchtown Primary School in Southport, listed the youngster’s smile and enthusiasm for life among her “seven qualities”.
Ms Payne read a poem about her pupil, called Here Comes Alice, in which she mentioned how Alice once decorated a teacher’s pointer to look like a magic wand.
Ted Hennessey reports:
We are letting you go dancing now Alice, headteacher says in tearful tribute
Family release new pictures of ‘dream child’ Alice following funeral
Sunday 11 August 2024 18:13 , Tara Cobham
Alice’s parents condemn UK riots that erupted in name of daughter, says Chief Constable
Sunday 11 August 2024 17:38 , Tara Cobham
Alice da Silva Aguiar’s parents have condemned the riots that erupted on the streets of the UK in the name of their daughter following the nine-year-old’s killing.
Speaking at Alice’s funeral service in Southport on Sunday, Serena Kennedy, Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, told the congregation: “You (Alice’s parents) have shown great courage in asking me to be here today to give a message from you, Alice’s family, to say that you do not want there to be any more violence on the streets of the United Kingdom in the name of your daughter.
“I am ashamed and I’m so sorry that you had to even consider this in the planning of the funeral of your beautiful daughter, Alice.
“And I hope that anyone who has taken part in the violent disorder on our streets over the past 13 days is hanging their head in shame at the pain that they have caused you, a grieving family.
“I know that you asked that there is no more violence and that you are now given time as a family to grieve in peace, and that our traumatised community is allowed time to heal, the time it needs to start to heal.”
Labour’s Southport MP Patrick Hurley said: “There are no adequate words to express the town’s shock and distress at the atrocity which befell Alice and the other little girls two weeks ago.”
Thanks for the efforts of the UK authorities in response to the tragedy were also offered by Sara Madruga da Costa on behalf of the Portuguese authorities.
Tributes paid to Alice whose smile was ‘more radiant than the sun'
Sunday 11 August 2024 17:22 , Tara Cobham
Tributes have been paid to Alice da Silva Aguiar at her funeral service in Southport on Sunday, with the parish priest describing her smile as “more radiant than the sun”.
Fr John Heneghan also said Alice was a regular at Mass at St Patrick’s.
The youngster’s headteacher at Churchtown Primary School, Jinnie Payne, also listed Alice’s smile among her “seven qualities”.
She said: “Number one, to have a big smile. Not to smile big, there is a difference. Alice wore a natural smile every day, it wasn’t forced and it wasn’t put on. It was everywhere she went. It was her best friend.
“Number two, polite and respectful. Alice’s manners took her everywhere. She showed politeness, not just ‘thank you’, but always ‘thank you’ with a reason attached.
“Number three, to have interest in others, genuine interest and being inquisitive. Alice asked lots of questions and she remembered things about you. She remembered the names of your children, she remembered where you went on holiday, so you had to be very careful about what you told Alice.
“Number four, equality, I love this one. This has to be my favourite, how a child at such a young age could not favour one other friend over another. Friends, she played equally with them all. That is so hard to do, and she mastered it.
“(Number five), enthusiasm for life. Alice wanted to do everything there was on offer and she seized those opportunities and you (her parents) provided them for Alice.
“But along with those opportunities is number six. She did support and guide. So if she felt things weren’t up to her standard she would tell you, and she would then help you put it right.
“Finally, the number seven is family. Alice’s words, ‘it doesn’t matter who your family are as long as they love each other’, and Alice did that.”
Hundreds gather to pay respects at funeral of Alice da Silva Aguiar in Southport
Sunday 11 August 2024 17:16 , Tara Cobham
Hundreds of mourners gathered for the funeral of “dream child” Alice da Silva Aguiar, who was killed in a mass stabbing at a dance class in Southport.
The nine-year-old’s parents Sergio and Alexandra were joined by family and friends at St Patrick’s Catholic Church in the town.
Among those who also paid their respects were Serena Kennedy, Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, along with uniformed officers from the police and the ambulance and fire services.
Members of the public lined Marshside Road as the funeral cortege arrived, along with about 30 uniformed police officers.
Pink ribbons and balloons were tied to lamp posts and garden walls.
Applause broke out as the carriage, drawn by two white horses sporting orange and white plumes and containing the youngster’s white coffin, approached the church entrance.
Several hundred people packed into the church while more listened outside as the service was relayed on loudspeakers.
Alice’s parents tell of ‘unimaginable pain’ of daughter ‘taken away from us too soon'
Sunday 11 August 2024 17:14 , Tara Cobham
Alice da Silva Aguiar’s parents have told of the “unimaginable pain” of their nine-year-old daughter being “taken away from us too soon” at her funeral service in Southport.
Speaking at St Patrick’s Catholic Church on Sunday, her father Sergio and mother Alexandra said: “A day before your final struggle, mummy kept asking if you were okay. So much so that you and daddy asked ‘why?’
“A part of me wondered if I was being too British. But ultimately, I realised I always wanted to know that you were okay. Now, daddy feels sorry for mummy, she has seen things no human should.
“You were taken away from us too soon and we often ask why? Why here? Why us? Why you? We wonder if you ever thought of us. Called for us. We wondered if you felt any pain. We hope not my darling.
“We then question could this have been avoided? Could we have stopped it somehow… we will never get over this pain. We promise to get all the answers. Mummy has seen too much, and we need to know.
“We feel shocked, unimaginable pain, we miss you.
“From time to time, the pin drops. When mommy says ‘good night, Sergio, good night Alice’ and then it hits us all over again. We don’t hear you back.
“Moving forward will be hard. Some days are better than others, but none will be perfect. Some moments we are weak and we say wild things. But we made a promise to always be there for each other in moments of despair, a pinky promise.
“We share a strong bond and we’ll always have each other to rely on. We won’t be alone. We are surrounded by a wonderful community and their full support, family and friends, neighbours, work colleagues, the wonderful servicemen and women who serve the community, your school, your church and all your friends and their parents.
“We have the full support of the country and the privilege of multiplying that by two. For that, we’re thankful.
“For now, our beloved Angel, keep dancing, mummy and daddy will always, always love you.”
Alice da Silva Aguiar’s parents pay tribute to their ‘perfect dream child’ at her funeral
Sunday 11 August 2024 17:11 , Tara Cobham
Alice da Silva Aguiar’s parents have described her as their “perfect dream child” and told of how she was dedicated to dance in a tribute given at her funeral service in Southport.
Speaking at St Patrick’s Catholic Church on Sunday, her father Sergio and mother Alexandra said that “everything was idyllic from the moment” the nine-year-old arrived.
They continued: “A good girl, with strong values and kind nature. A lover of animals and an environmentalist in the making. You moved our world with your confidence and empathy. Playful energetic, friendly, and always so respectful.
“A peacemaker of the playground. No shouting is a house rule you applied. A big task for a small girl, especially in a Portuguese household.
“Being around you was a privilege, we cherished every milestone. You completed us.
“In nine short years, we never needed time off from you. We never gave up our time for anything that didn’t involve you too. And if we did, we’d always do it separately so you could have one of us always next to you.”
They went on: “You were born and raised into love and we loved cuddling you every night for almost nine years. Apart from the sleepovers and nights away with your friends, we were never apart. You liked to sleep with mummy and daddy, enjoyed shutting the curtains and watching Disney Plus with popcorn. Our room was your comfort place. You were our comfort and peace.
“As you were growing up from a princess to a pre-teen, we began to notice some changes, seeing your independence take shape. From your skincare regime to playing with makeup, to your dedication to school, to dance and to your faith.
“Your to-do-list was extensive and we were sure that you would achieve it if only you had the time.
“We talked about which high school you might attend, about growing up, having a big house and a garden and having children. Children who we will never help you raise. It hurts. We will never see you grow up.”
In pictures: Emergency services attend Alice da Silva Aguiar’s funeral in Southport
Sunday 11 August 2024 16:58 , Tara Cobham
Alice, nine, pictured waiting for Taylor Swift dance class before stabbing
Sunday 11 August 2024 16:32 , Tara Cobham
A picture of Alice da Silva Aguiar eagerly waiting to get into the Taylor Swift-themed dance class where she was fatally stabbed has been released by her grieving family.
The nine-year-old is shown smiling with a life-size cardboard cut-out of the singer in the doorway of the Hart Space studio, in Hart Street, Southport.
The youngster – who is pictured wearing leggings, trainers and a T-shirt with the slogan Vacay Vibes – was just starting her school summer holidays.
She was dedicated to dance, her parents said in a tribute given at her funeral at St Patrick’s Catholic Church, in Southport, on Sunday.
Alice’s family also released a number of other images as well as some footage of the nine-year-old following the service.
Horse-drawn hearse carrying Alice da Silva Aguiar’s coffin leaves church after funeral
Sunday 11 August 2024 16:18 , Tara Cobham
The horse-drawn hearse carrying the coffin of Alice da Silva Aguiar has left St Patrick's Church in Southport after her funeral.
The nine-year-old was killed alongside two other young girls in a knife attack at a dance class in Southport on 29 July.
Public order has stabilised, NPCC says
Sunday 11 August 2024 15:36 , Alexander Butler
Public order has stabilised following a week of far-right unrest that engulfed the country after a stabbing attack in Southport.
“The situation in England, Scotland and Wales has somewhat stabilised over the last few days, but our colleagues in Northern Ireland have overnight experienced awful violence with significant injuries experienced by officers on the front line and we are doing all we can to support them,” the NPCC said.
Pictured: Mourners line streets
Sunday 11 August 2024 15:06 , Alexander Butler
Emergency services attend funeral
Sunday 11 August 2024 14:42 , Alexander Butler
Applause breaks out as carriage nears church
Sunday 11 August 2024 14:32 , Alexander Butler
Applause broke out as the carriage – drawn by two white horses sporting orange and white plumes – containing the youngster’s white coffin approached the church entrance.
Several hundred people packed into the church while more listened outside as the service was relayed on loudspeakers.
Mourners gather for funeral of Southport victim Alice da Silva Aguiar
Sunday 11 August 2024 14:31 , Alexander Butler
Hundreds of mourners have gathered for the funeral of nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar, who was killed in a mass stabbing at a dance class in Southport.
Her parents Sergio and Alexandra were joined by family and friends at St Patrick’s Catholic Church in the town.
Among those who also gathered to pay their respects were Serena Kennedy, Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, along with uniformed officers from the police and the ambulance and fire services.
Members of the public lined Marshside Road as the funeral cortege arrived, along with about 30 uniformed police officers. Pink ribbons and balloons were tied to lampposts and garden walls.
Pictured: Alice da Silva Aguiar’s funeral
Sunday 11 August 2024 14:27 , Alexander Butler
Funeral for Alice da Silva Aguiar being held
Sunday 11 August 2024 14:24 , Alexander Butler
The first of three funerals for the young girls fatally stabbed at a dance class in Southport nearly two weeks ago is taking place today.
Nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar is being laid to rest at St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Merseyside, where her family were seen dressed in white carrying her coffin into the building.
Described as “amazing, caring and confident”, Alice was killed alongside Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, as they attended a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on 29 July.
The service and cremation will be followed by a wake at Crossens Community Centre. Her family said both will be private events.
Watch: CCTV footage shows mosque in Newtownards getting petrol-bombed
Sunday 11 August 2024 13:54 , Alexander Butler
Tory leadership hopeful James Cleverly tells Farage to choose between ‘serious politician or content creator’
Sunday 11 August 2024 13:30 , Alexander Butler
Tory leadership hopeful James Cleverly has slammed Nigel Farage, telling him to choose between being a ‘serious politician or a social media content creator’.
The shadow home secretary accused the Reform UK leader of making statements designed to “generate traffic” as riots erupted across the country.
Mr Farage has been widely criticised for his claims of “two-tier policing”, echoing the language of a right-wing conspiracy theory, and his remarks about the Southport stabbings.
Cleverly tells Farage to choose between ‘serious politician or content creator’
Cabinet minister insists rioters won’t be released early despite prison overcrowding
Sunday 11 August 2024 13:00 , Alexander Butler
Rioters will not be freed early despite the chronic overcrowding in the UK’s prisons, a cabinet minister has said.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said they would not be included in the government’s release scheme.
The guarantee came as the Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood warned the impact of the violent scenes on the country’s streets would be felt in the criminal justice system “for months and years”.
Cabinet minister insists rioters won’t be released early despite prison overcrowding
Man charged for violent disorder in Bristol
Sunday 11 August 2024 12:27 , Alexander Butler
Avon and Somerset Police said Jamie Easterbrook, 43, has been charged with committing violent disorder after he was arrested at his Bristol home on Saturday night.
The force said he remains in police custody until he appears at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
Police said 21 people have now been arrested in connection with disorder in Bristol on August 3 and nine have been charged.
Watch: Police attacked with petrol bombs during clashes in Londonderry
Sunday 11 August 2024 11:59 , Alexander Butler
Calls to end racially motivated hate crimes after mosque attacked
Sunday 11 August 2024 11:27 , Alexander Butler
There have been calls for an end to racially motivated hate crimes after a mosque was attacked over the weekend.
A petrol bomb was thrown at the mosque in Co Down in the early hours of Saturday, while cars were set alight in Belfast, in incidents described by police as racially motivated hate crimes.
The mosque in Newtownards was attacked at around 1am on Saturday, with graffiti sprayed on the front door and walls of the building in Greenwell Street.
Police said the petrol bomb did not ignite. Alistair Cathcart, mayor of Ards and North Down, said the mosque has been in Ards for more than 20 years.
“Its members are our neighbours, friends and colleagues,” he added.
“It is a great relief that the nobody was hurt. There is no justification for racism, violence and intimidation in our communities and like others I would call for it to stop.”
Northumbria Police to ‘relentlessly pursue’ suspects
Sunday 11 August 2024 11:03 , Alexander Butler
Northumbria Police will “relentlessly pursue” suspects involved in widespread violence that swept the North East, the force warned.
“I’m sure we’re making it extremely clear by now that we will relentlessly pursue offenders who were involved – as we’ve managed to secure nearly a dozen convictions in a matter of days,” Detective Chief Inspector Graeme Barr said.
“As a force, we are prepared to use every avenue available to us to ensure we identify perpetrators and put them where they belong – before the courts.”
Funeral to be held for nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar who was killed in stabbings
Sunday 11 August 2024 10:50 , Alexander Butler
The first of three funerals for the young girls fatally stabbed at a dance classin Southport nearly two weeks ago will take place today.
Nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar will be laid to rest at St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Merseyside at 2pm.
Described as “amazing, caring and confident”, Alice was killed alongsideBebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, as they attended a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on 29 July.
The service and cremation will be followed by a wake at Crossens Community Centre. Her family said both will be private events.
Southport: Funeral to be held for Alice da Silva Aguiar who was killed in stabbings
Man arrested over threatening social media video
Sunday 11 August 2024 09:48 , Alexander Butler
West Midlands Police (WMP) say they have made an arrest after a video was circulated on social media of a man suspected of making threats to kill.
The force said the video was brought to their attention and officers identified the location and arrested a 30-year-old man in Sparkbrook, Birmingham, on Saturday evening.
“We take swift and effective action against anyone who feels that they can use social media to stir racial hatred or to encourage people to cause violence or take actions into their own hands,” WMP said.
“We would like to thank the public for making us aware of the video and want to reassure people that action has been taken.
“We will not tolerate violence in our towns and cities, or tolerate those who use social media to encourage such violence.
“Our commitment to the safety of all residents remains unwavering and we will continue to work closely with the community to uphold peace and maintain order.”
Specialist police hunt hundreds of online influencers
Sunday 11 August 2024 09:22 , Alexander Butler
Specialist police units are hunting hundreds of online offenders and “so-called influencers” for spreading hate and inciting violence during riots that swept the country.
Teams from across the country working as part of the national network of Regional Organised Crime Units (ROCUs) have confirmed they are investigating hundreds of leads, the NPCC said.
“It was the result of dozens of so-called influencers, exploiting the outpouring of grief from the tragic loss of three young girls in Southport.
“They knowingly spread misinformation, stoked the flames of hatred and division and incited violence from the comfort of their own homes – causing chaos on other people’s doorsteps,” Chief Constable Chris Haward warned.
Recap: Thousands turn out at anti-racist counter-protests to ‘stop the far right’ across the UK
Sunday 11 August 2024 09:18 , Alexander Butler
Thousands of people have responded to a rallying cry to “stop the far right”, turning out at anti-racist counter-protests being held across the UK for a national day of protest.
Anti-fascist group Stand Up to Racism called for demonstrations to take place across the country on Saturday, with huge crowds gathering in towns and cities such as London, Edinburgh and Cardiff, following more than a week of nationwide far-right riots.
The police had been braced for further violence ahead of the weekend, but the far-right were outnumbered by anti-racists where they did turn up, according to Stand Up to Racism, with more than 50 rallies taking place nationwide.
Pictured: Police clash in Londonderry as petrol bombs
Sunday 11 August 2024 09:08 , Alexander Butler
Petrol bombs thrown in Northern Ireland
Sunday 11 August 2024 08:28 , Alexander Butler
Ten police officers have been injured after petrol bombs were thrown during violent disorder in Londonderry, Northern Ireland.
The violence - understood to be carried out by nationalist youths - broke out on Saturday afternoon at the end of the Apprentice Boys of Derry parade with people also throwing fireworks and masonry.
William Calderwood, the Superintendent of Derry City and Strabane, called the incident “disgusting”and promised “a robust investigation is underway to bring all those responsible for this violence to justice”.
Afghan asylum seeker ‘lost’ after Rotherham hotel attack
Sunday 11 August 2024 08:04 , Alexander Butler
An Afghan asylum seeker who was inside a hotel targeted by rioters said people are “traumatised” by what happened and described feeling “lost” when it comes to what his future might hold in the UK.
The 29-year-old was in the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham when people smashed the windows of the building before starting fires.
Masked men hurled wood, chairs and bottles with some spraying fire extinguishers at police officers amid the 700-strong crowd, and at least 10 officers were injured, with one knocked unconscious.
The asylum seeker, who did not want to be identified amid concerns for his safety, said the trouble had been preceded a day earlier with people passing by the hotel and shouting “F*** you! Rwanda! Go to your country!”
The man, who had been in the hotel for two months while he awaits his asylum claim being processed, described the fear and panic when the attack began.
He said: “They entered from the back/kitchen to the dining area and broke the windows from the inside. From the inside they threw chairs and tables onto the police and were throwing other things at the police.
“And then they started the fire. People were really scared inside the hotel.I am pretty sure most of the people who were in the hotel are still in a kind of panic,” he said.
“They are traumatised, they are not in a good situation.”
Southport victim’s funeral to take place today
Sunday 11 August 2024 07:45 , Alexander Butler
The first of three funerals for the young girl’s fatally stabbed at a dance class in Southport nearly two weeks ago will take place today.
Nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar will be laid to rest at St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Merseyside at 2pm later today.
Described as “amazing, caring and confident”, Alice was killed alongside Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven.
Suspect Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, 17, has been charged three counts of murder and 10 of attempted murder in connection with the tragedy.
