Southport to get £5.6m in funding to help town recover after stabbings

Millions of pounds is set to be pumped into services across Southport, with most of the money being used to support schools around the town.

It comes following the tragic deaths of Alice da Silva Aguiar, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Bebe King in a mass stabbing during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class last summer.

Sefton Council said the £5.6m funding is a step to address the emotional, social and economic impacts of both the attack on 29 July and the subsequent riots that took place, as well as looking to the future of the town.

The money has come from the government pledging monetary aid as part of its Community Recovery Fund to support the town.

The funding will prioritise children, families and businesses in the town and allow for the creation and extension of mental health support programs and helping rebuild the community.

Residents, business owners, community groups and volunteers are all being encouraged to take advantage of and participate in initiatives and resources that will benefit the town.

The majority of the money will go towards schools in Southport, as well as businesses directly affected by the events last summer.

Councillor Marion Atkinson, Leader of Sefton Council, said: “We have said from the outset that we will do whatever it takes during this recovery process and that everything we do will have the families of Alice, Bebe and Elsie Dot at the heart of it.

“We’ve been really appreciative of the support from the government and this funding will go towards the immediate priorities as we continue to come to terms with what has happened.

“We are continuing to listen to the community and are learning more all of the time to understand what support is needed where and this will continue to be flexible to the needs of our residents and businesses.”

Southport’s MP Patrick Hurley added: "The Southport community has faced tough times in the past few months.

“It's important for us to stick together and support each other and the families affected by the recent attack. We must also continue to provide assistance to the families of Alice, Bebe, and Elsie Dot.

“I'm glad to see that the Prime Minister is committed to helping Southport. Following the attack in July, he promised to collaborate with me and the council to aid in Southport's recovery. This announcement proves that he is true to his word and highlights the effectiveness of working together across all levels of government.”