By George Wright, BBC News
This combination of pictures shows handout pictures released by Merseyside Police in London on 30 July, 2024, of nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar (left), seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, and six-year-old Bebe King. Photo: AFP PHOTO / Merseyside Police
A 17-year-old has been charged with the murder of three girls at a dance class in Southport.
Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar died after a knife attack at the Taylor Swift-themed event in the Merseyside town on Monday.
The teenager, who is due to appear at Liverpool City Magistrates' Court later on Thursday, has also been charged with 10 counts of attempted murder.
Eight other children and two adults who were at the event in the Hart Space centre were injured, with some still believed to be in a critical condition.
The defendant, who cannot be named because of his age, has also been charged with the possession of a bladed article.
The Taylor Swift-themed dance class on Hart Street in Southport was being held for primary school children aged six to 10.
Ursula Doyle, deputy chief crown prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service Mersey-Cheshire, said: "We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.
"It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary, or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.
"Our thoughts remain with the families of all of those affected by these harrowing events."
Separately, more than 100 people were arrested in a protest in central London on Wednesday night following the deaths in Southport, the Metropolitan Police said.
The Met said it made arrests for a range of offences including violent disorder, assault on an emergency worker, and breach of protest conditions on Wednesday evening.
It followed separate unrest in Southport on Tuesday, which came after a peaceful vigil took place to remember the girls who died.
- BBC