Child C4

¶36. Child C4’s mother recounted the deep and lasting effect of the attack on 29 July 2024 on her daughter, herself and their family. Child C4, affectionately known as their “sunshine”, was a bright, vivacious and carefree child before the attack, full of energy, confidence and joy. As a consequence of what happened, her innocence and security have been significantly stripped away, leaving her with hypervigilance and anxiety that impacts every aspect of her life. She struggles to find her enthusiasm for the activities she once loved, experiences wild mood swings, bouts of tears and feelings of intense worry, which her mother describes as “storm clouds” over her formerly sunny disposition.⁵⁶⁵⁶ T/S: 4/18/6-25/11.

¶37. Child C4 displayed extraordinary courage and compassion during the attack. She was one of the last girls to escape, with no adults able to assist her. Despite the attack and the wounds inflicted on her, she made the safety of other children the priority, encouraging them to leave first and helping them escape. Even after reaching safety, bleeding from five stab wounds, she continued to check on and comfort others. Her parents have emphasised her remarkable kindness and bravery, emphasising that her heroism should be remembered along with the horrors of that day.

¶38. Child C4’s injuries have left visible physical scars which are a daily reminder of the attack. She experiences pain, itching and embarrassment; she frequently covers the sites of the injuries with baggy clothes, which raises concerns for her future teenage years. The trauma has extended to the wider family. Child C4’s father and brother were abroad at the time of the attack, and they have vivid flashbacks of the moment when they received the frantic telephone calls informing them of Child C4’s injuries. They had to endure a strong sense of helplessness and fear while they returned home.

¶39. Notwithstanding these significant challenges, Child C4 has shown remarkable resilience. She is gradually rebuilding her confidence and is returning to former activities, channelling her experiences into helping others. Her family expressed immense gratitude for the support they have variously received from the emergency services, the hospital medical staff who cared for Child C4, the therapists with whom they have worked, Child C4’s teachers, the members of their extended family and the wider Southport community who have all helped Child C4 survive physically and emotionally. Child C4’s parents stressed that while the attack has had a devastating impact, they are determined their daughter will not be defined by this trauma. Her bravery, resilience, and compassion shine through, and the family remain committed to supporting her recovery, nurturing her potential and helping her reclaim the joy and innocence that was taken from her.

Child C5

¶40. Child C5’s parents described the devastating and lasting impact of the attack on their eldest daughter (Child C5), their youngest child and themselves.⁵⁷⁵⁷ T/S: 6/25/5-35/23. Child C5 was stabbed twice while trying to flee. Despite catastrophic injuries and believing she would die, she nonetheless managed to escape. She lost her entire blood volume and underwent life-saving surgery, coming within minutes of death. Child C5 sustained severe internal injuries. Her spleen was removed with the consequence that she now faces lifelong health vulnerabilities. She has extensive scarring, requires a variety of ongoing treatments and experiences chronic pain and limitations. She continues to experience severe trauma, which is manifested in panic attacks, fear of being touched, insomnia, hypervigilance and mistrust of adults. She struggles with ‘survivor’s guilt’, blaming herself for having not saved the three young girls who were killed. Everyday situations – such as traffic lights, people in hoods or noises at night –trigger a sense of fear and anxiety.

¶41. For their part, Child C5’s parents suffer ongoing trauma, stress and fear. Child C5’s mother endures nightmares and panic attacks, and she has intrusive visions of the attacker. Child C5’s father feels constantly on edge and struggles between wanting to protect his daughters and allowing them normal independence. Child C5’s younger sister, having witnessed the aftermath of the attack when her sister was bleeding, remains traumatised. She cannot sleep alone, expresses fears of “monsters”, and needs professional support. As a result, their family life is dominated by hypervigilance, fear and grief. The attack has left permanent cracks in their lives.

¶42. Child C5, through her parents, told the Inquiry that she wants change to occur so that no other child experiences what she went through: “Children should be protected. Things must change.”

Child C6

¶43. Child C6 was the youngest of those who gave evidence to the Inquiry. She spoke courageously about the enduring impact the attack has had on her life. Together with her sister, Child T, she attended the workshop on 29 July 2024 and what had been intended as a joyful event became a “living nightmare”. She was older than the other girls and attended as a helper. She was stabbed in one of her arms and her back, resulting in a collapsed lung and two broken bones in her spine, and she underwent emergency surgery. The trauma has had lasting physical effects: she has reduced stamina and has lost flexibility and core strength. She requires ongoing physiotherapy.⁵⁸⁵⁸ T/S: 6/8/16-15/9.

¶44. As a consequence of what occurred, Child C6 lives with recurring nightmares, flashbacks and panic attacks. Memories of AR intrude into her thoughts. She is highly anxious in crowded or unpredictable situations. Attending school can be extremely difficult, and on occasion she needs to leave lessons early; she avoids subjects that risk her recalling the events of 29 July 2024; and she receives individual support to help her catch up academically. She feels socially and emotionally isolated from her peers. She finds it difficult to relate to others, including the survivors of the attack because she was the eldest of the children but much younger than the adult victims, which makes her recovery feel lonely; and she experiences anger and frustration.

¶45. Child C6’s love of dancing, once central to her identity, has been severely disrupted. She was unable to attend lessons or to perform independently for months following the attack. Safety measures are now necessary, for instance doors need to be locked and her parents need to be present, in order for her to be able to participate.

¶46. Child C6 feels caught between childhood and adulthood. She fears the trauma resulting from what occurred will never fully disappear, albeit she is determined to regain her independence and to continue dancing. She asked the Inquiry to explain why the attacker was not stopped and why the relevant agencies failed to communicate with each other. The Inquiry must identify how similar incidents can be prevented, and she emphasised that nothing like this event should ever happen again.

¶47. I have addressed the impact evidence of Child C6’s parents in paragraphs 87 to 91, below.

Child C8

¶48. Child C8, before the attack, was full of energy and joy. She was a kind, creative, and independent child who loved singing, dancing, art and sports. She was caring and sensitive to others. She enjoyed school and spending time with her family and friends. This incident has changed everything. She sustained serious injuries and although she remembers the attack vividly, she struggles to believe it was real. Since then, she has become fearful and hypervigilant, unable to be left alone and constantly scanning for danger. She is particularly sensitive to anything that reminds her of the attacker, any relevant images in the media, groups of schoolchildren and travelling on public transport. Sleep remains a major challenge, with consequential late nights, nightmares and distress. Medical visits are traumatic due to her fear of any sharp implement.⁵⁹⁵⁹ T/S: 2/15/22-20/7. Despite support and adjustments, trauma continues to interfere with her education and confidence.

¶49. Her mother described, therefore, how their lives changed overnight. Child C8, from being an independent child, now requires constant reassurance and protection. The consequent toll on her mother has been immense, leading to PTSD, flashbacks, insomnia and emotional exhaustion. Attempts to shield Child C8 from the significant media coverage have not been entirely successful, leading to unexpected reminders of the event which often trigger distress.

¶50. The attack has had a devastating impact not only on Child C8 but on her whole family. Along with her mother’s gratitude that she survived, there is an enduring painful awareness of how deeply Child C8 has been changed, and how she is burdened by what she experienced and witnessed.

Leanne Lucas

¶51. Leanne Lucas described the profound impact the attack has had on her life, her work and her family. At the outset, she acknowledged the unimaginable trauma experienced by the families of the children, emphasising that it was not her intention to compare suffering but instead to recount her personal experience.⁶⁰⁶⁰ T/S: 5/30/11-38/13.

¶52. Before the attack, as a primary school teacher and children’s yoga instructor she had found joy, purpose and fulfilment in nurturing and inspiring children. The attack abruptly ended her professional life; she has not returned to teaching or yoga, leading to a profound loss of identity and confidence. The hours leading up to the attack had been joyful and full of energy, making the sudden violence especially devastating. She was stabbed multiple times, suffering injuries to her chest, back, head, arm and shoulder; her spine was damaged. She tried to protect and evacuate the children while calling emergency services and despite fearing for her own life. She recalls the chaos, her fear for the children’s safety and her sense of uncertainty as to her own survival.

¶53. Ms Lucas has recovered physically, while psychologically she lives with severe trauma. This is manifested by hypervigilance, anxiety in public spaces and a sense of fear even in situations once associated with peace, such as yoga. She has faced relentless online abuse and public scrutiny, which has increased her distress and sense of isolation. The attack has deeply affected her family. Her parents became her full-time carers and advocates, and they have, as a consequence, experienced vicarious trauma, PTSD and anxiety, along with disruption to their lives.

¶54. Ms Lucas described her life as being divided between “before” and “after” the attack. She has lost her independence, she has felt ostracised within her own community, and she continues to face daily reminders of the trauma. Nonetheless, she has managed to complete a diploma in therapeutic counselling and is now a qualified counsellor. She launched a campaign, ‘Let’s Be Blunt’, with the aim of channelling her pain into action and raising awareness of what occurred in order to prevent similar violence. She hopes the Inquiry will address the enduring consequences of what occurred and help ensure no one else has to endure such lasting trauma.

Jonathan Hayes

¶55. Jonathan Hayes expressed his acute consciousness of the trauma suffered by the children and their families. He went to investigate what was happening when he was confronted by AR who stabbed and severely wounded Mr Hayes in one of his legs. He saw some of the critically injured children. He feared he might die from severe blood loss, but a colleague applied a tourniquet and called for assistance. He underwent surgery at Aintree Hospital for deep tissue and nerve damage to his leg. His recovery has been long and painful, leading initially to a loss of mobility which rendered him reliant on his wife for care.⁶¹⁶¹ T/S: 3/14/21-26/18. It was two to three months before he could walk up stairs. He has a permanent scar and continues to experience daily reminders of the attack.

¶56. Psychologically, Mr Hayes has been deeply affected. He experiences flashbacks, nightmares and anxiety. He has developed avoidance behaviours, most particularly as regards to being in confined spaces, knives and individuals wearing hoodies. His life at work and at home has been altered. He was fearful of returning to his office and he has changed the way he behaves in public. His sleep has been significantly disrupted, and he suffers from ongoing trauma.

¶57. The attack has undermined his outlook on life: he is more cautious, reflective and subdued than before 29 July 2024; his priorities have changed, and his confidence has diminished. His sense of gratitude for the help he received, and his survival is tempered by awareness that the attack and its consequences have fundamentally changed him, as demonstrated by his heightened feelings of vulnerability and the caution he now exercises in his daily life.

Heidi Liddle

¶58. Heidi Liddle described the severe consequences of the attack. Before 29 July 2024 she had led a fulfilling life as a dance teacher, teaching assistant and mother. She enjoyed her work with children and was in the process of reconnecting with friends and family, following the birth of her daughter and maternity leave. What had been a “room filled with joy and happiness” was shattered by violence. She witnessed Leanne Lucas being brutally attacked and immediately focused on protecting the children. Amidst the intense chaos and fear all around her, she hid with a young girl, Child X, in a locked lavatory. Although she escaped without physical injuries, the psychological trauma has profoundly affected her life. She experiences daily flashbacks, she has become hypervigilant, and she has a permanent sense of guilt over the girls who died and those who were physically and psychologically harmed, notwithstanding reassurances that she is not to blame.⁶²⁶² T/S: 5/18/21-30/1.

¶59. She considers that the attack has “changed my whole life” and she feels disconnected from the person she was prior to the attack. She has cut herself off from friends and family so as to hide her pain. She no longer enjoys the activities she once loved, especially dance. Everyday tasks and routines, including those at home, can trigger fear and anxiety. The trauma has adversely affected her parenting, and she fears that her children have not had the mother they deserve. Significant events, such as birthdays, tend to act as a reminder of what occurred. Mrs Liddle grieves for the children who died and the survivors, along with their families, and she is acutely conscious of the wider impact of the attack. She resists reaching out to offer support, fearing she will cause further distress.

¶60. She now lives with a constant sense of fear and despair. She struggles to imagine her future, feeling trapped in the present and continually reliving the circumstances of the attack. Despite this, she is striving, albeit gradually, to rebuild and find a way of enjoying her life, and to regain a sense of safety. Mrs Liddle said that she hoped that the Inquiry will play a part in ensuring that this traumatic event is never repeated.

Child J

Child S

¶61. Child J and Child S (who are not from the same family) both suffered psychological harm as a result of the attack. Because of, variously, parental preference for privacy and the terms of the anonymity orders that have been made, it is not appropriate for this report to provide further detail of the impact of the attack on them, but it is important that this report acknowledges them as victims.

Child K

¶62. The father of Child K described how the traumatic attack of 29 July 2024 has permanently changed the lives of his family. Their daughter left home in the morning full of excitement, but hours later her mother and father were confronted with the terror of the attack’s immediate aftermath. His partner called him in panic, fearing their daughter might have been killed. This left him feeling powerless and terrified during the drive home. His relief on hearing their daughter was physically unharmed was accompanied by a sense of being heartbroken that she had experienced an intense fear no child should know.⁶³⁶³ T/S: 5/10/4-13/16.

¶63. Since that day, the family has been profoundly adversely affected. Child K struggles with fear, she is unable to sleep alone, and she has been unable to return to the activities she previously loved. Both parents have an overwhelming sense of guilt: her father for being elsewhere and her mother because, although one of those first at the scene, she was unable to prevent the attack. These feelings of guilt are compounded by the continual psychological triggers of daily life, which include the sound of the sirens from emergency vehicles, raised voices and driving, all of which re-open the emotional wounds inflicted on 29 July 2024.

¶64. The members of the family are being provided with continuing counselling and medication to cope with their trauma. Outwardly, their daughter may appear to have returned to “normal”, but internally the scars remain. While the family is surviving, they continually relive the events of 29 July 2024, along with the realisation of how close they came to losing Child K.

Child L

¶65. Child L witnessed the terrifying events of 29 July 2024 and now lives with deep emotional trauma. She no longer feels safe at school, when out of doors or even at home. She suffers from insomnia; she has a permanent fear of intruders; and she has developed obsessive behaviours. She is hypervigilant: she checks exits and ensures doors are locked, and she positions herself near escape routes when in class.⁶⁴⁶⁴ T/S: 4/3/6-8/10.

¶66. She experiences flashbacks. She has to cope with ‘survivor’s guilt’ about her escape when others died, and she is concerned she did not protect one of her friends. She avoids normal childhood activities such as holiday clubs and birthday parties. School holidays are anticipated with a sense of dread.

¶67. Her parents carry a sense of guilt for having not protected their daughter and for what they described as the delay in collecting her after the attack. Although her mother and father are receiving mental health support, they continue to live with anxiety and fear. They have considered leaving the country. They are concerned about Child L’s future, and particularly her ability to trust others, to form relationships and to live independently. Their son has also been affected, having witnessed the impact the attack has had on his parents and their family life. Child L’s parents highlight how their sense of safety and, particularly, their belief in their ability to shield their children from harm has been shattered. They are proud of their daughter’s courage but grieve the loss of the carefree life she should have experienced.

¶68. Child L’s parents hope for relevant failures to be exposed; consequences to be acknowledged; and meaningful change to occur, thereby ensuring that children are better protected in the future. They asked the Inquiry to consider what occurred from a human as well as a legal perspective, so that their daughter’s pain “will count for something”.

Child M

¶69. The mother of Child M explained the lasting impact of the attack on 29 July 2024. She daily regrets her decision to hang out the washing instead of going straight to collect her daughter and a friend from the Hart Space. When she arrived she was confronted with a scene of chaos, blood and injured children. There was a period during which she feared her daughter had been killed before she eventually found her physically unharmed. These events have caused profound emotional and psychological trauma.⁶⁵⁶⁵ T/S: 3/27/2-31/21.

¶70. Child M has been left struggling with an intense sense of fear. She is extremely sensitive to noise and to using stairs; she finds it difficult to sleep alone; and she is reliant on being with her mother in order to feel safe. She requires ongoing counselling and only recently began to speak about what happened. Her mother emphasised Child M’s bravery, noting that she not only protected herself but helped other children to escape during the attack. The wider family has been deeply affected. They moved out of Southport to avoid being close to the scene of the attack, as its proximity had a traumatising effect. For Child M’s mother, along with harbouring a sense of guilt at having delayed travelling to the Hart Space, she is daily haunted in nightmares and flashbacks by vivid images of the scene of the attack. Her husband similarly demonstrates the lasting psychological impact this event has had on the entire family. Items such as the trainers their daughter was wearing during the attack have become symbols of survival and courage.

¶71. Child M’s mother spoke of the bravery of all the surviving children, and in paying tribute to Elsie, Bebe, and Alice, she highlighted the lasting positive impact they have had. She urged the Inquiry to deliver justice, to provide answers and to ensure that real change prevents similar future tragedies.

Child N

¶72. The attack on 29 July 2024 had a profound impact on Child N and her family. She had been excited at the prospect of spending a joyful day with her best friend, which was to have been filled with dancing, singing, and friendship. Instead, it turned into a traumatic ordeal. When her parents arrived at the scene, they witnessed the shock and panic of the immediate aftermath of the attack. They were initially unable to find their daughter. When they later viewed the CCTV footage, they were able to appreciate the remarkable courage Child N displayed when escaping. Although physically unharmed, she has been profoundly affected by what she saw and experienced.⁶⁶⁶⁶ T/S: 4/34/8-37/8.

¶73. Child N has subsequently struggled, in public and at home, with severe anxiety and fear. She is unable to spend time alone, she avoids her bedroom, and she suffers from nightmares. The daily life of the family is dominated by a sense of hypervigilance and fear, and Child N is carefully monitored to ensure her safety. Notwithstanding the trauma, she has shown remarkable strength, courage and resilience, and has retained her kind and joyful nature.

¶74. Child N’s parents emphasised the fundamental change occasioned by the attack, which has left the members of the family with a pervasive sense of fear and uncertainty. They highlighted the need for accountability and systemic change, so as to prevent a recurrence of similar events in the future.

Child O

¶75. The parents of Child O described the grave impact of the attack on their daughter and family. As a bright, confident and carefree child, Child O had been excited that she was to attend the Taylor Swift workshop, which was to be followed by a nail appointment with her sister. What should have been an ordinary, joyful day turned into a traumatic event which ended her childhood sense of safety and her innocence.⁶⁷⁶⁷ T/S: 5/13/25-18/5.

¶76. Immediately following the attack, Child O could not be left alone and was overwhelmed by fear. Sounds and noises startled her. As a coping mechanism, she has continually crafted bracelets, thereby keeping intrusive thoughts at bay. School became a challenge; she suffered from panic attacks, anxiety, and difficulties in concentrating; she has avoided playgrounds and extracurricular activities. Home has been the safest environment. Despite these challenges, including her sense of fear and the psychological scars, she has shown remarkable bravery and resilience, gradually recapturing glimpses of her former self.

¶77. Child O’s sister and parents have been traumatised by what occurred. Her sister, who arrived to collect Child O, saw the chaos and the injuries to some of the victims. Their father described what he witnessed as a scene of horror, and he receives counselling for consequential PTSD. The family emphasised that along with their sense of gratitude that Child O survived, her innocence has been stolen and her life changed forever. They are committed to helping her rebuild a joyful and loving life, albeit there will be a lasting adverse psychological impact.

Child P

¶78. Child P saw AR enter the upstairs studio and she witnessed other children being harmed. She fell in the stairwell while fleeing in terror but got to her feet and helped a younger girl to safety. Thereafter, she escaped to a nearby house. Although not physically injured, she was covered in blood and was in a state of shock, repeating the words “It has to be fake”. That night she clung to her mother, terrified the attacker would come for her; indeed, she has not slept alone since.⁶⁸⁶⁸ T/S: 5/3/19-9/7.

¶79. Child P continues to suffer severe anxiety and is continually fearful. She struggles to manage her emotions, which are overwhelming. She is afraid of the dark, sirens, strangers and anything linked to violence. She avoids normal childhood activities, such as school trips, public transport, sleepovers and holidays, and her parents try to avoid anything which will prompt memories of what occurred. Her mother and father have been traumatised and are in therapy. They experience flashbacks and they are burdened with a sense of guilt for what occurred. They described how AR stole their daughter’s innocence and that for her the normal joys of childhood have been replaced with fear.

¶80. They seek answers from the Inquiry, in order to facilitate healing and the necessary changes which will ensure that children are able to feel safe again. As her parents observed: “Every child deserves to feel safe. We must make sure this never happens again.”

Child Q

¶81. Child Q has always been an anxious child, particularly in unfamiliar social settings, and attending the event on the day of the attack constituted a significant step. She went to the Hart Space feeling proud and happy. The trauma that unfolded has had a profound effect. Although physically unharmed, Child Q has struggled greatly with the psychological impact of what occurred. She became withdrawn, emotional and had “so many worries”, as revealed by her questioning, “how will I ever be normal again?” She remains anxious about being apart from her parents, fears sirens and emergency vehicles, and cannot sleep alone. She needs doors closed to feel safe and is hyper-aware of her surroundings at school, often sitting where she can see the door. At times, her anxiety has prevented her from attending school.⁶⁹⁶⁹ T/S: 2/11/20-15/13.

¶82. Therapy through Victim Support has been helpful, allowing Child Q to build trust and speak about her fears, and she now has access to school-based emotional support whenever needed. While progress has been made, she continues to need reassurance and careful support to rebuild her confidence. The impact of this attack has extended to the whole family. Child Q’s mother has required therapy; she changed her job to one that would allow her to be more available; and she continues to struggle with understanding this terrible event. Child Q’s father and brother have also been deeply affected by witnessing the toll on both Child Q and her mother.

¶83. Despite these challenges, Child Q’s parents described her as strong, brave, and beautiful. She is surrounded by love and support, and her family remain determined to protect her childhood, help her feel safe, and ensure the trauma does not define or control her life.

Child R

¶84. For Child R, prior to 29 July 2024 the two most important things in her life were dancing and having fun with her friends. As she watched the attack unfold, she initially mistook what was happening as part of the event until she realised a girl was bleeding. Although she was not physically injured, she has suffered profound psychological trauma. She continues to suffer nightmares and panic attacks, and she is constantly anxious. She needs the reassurance of her father sleeping in her room. She no longer believes that her greatest love – dance – is safe, and she will only participate under strict conditions: the doors must be locked and her parents in attendance. Activities now require extensive preparation, given the levels of reassurance that are necessary, including the presence of her mother and father. Child R appears outwardly sociable, but this disguises the significant emotional support she needs at home.⁷⁰⁷⁰ T/S: 4/26/3-34/1.

¶85. Child R’s parents described how they live with a sense of ongoing fear and the need to shield Child R at every turn. They are caught between wanting to encourage her independence and their strong awareness of the potential risks. Her father has been deeply traumatised, to the extent that he is unable to talk about what occurred. The family feels their world has changed irreversibly. Child R’s innocence has been stolen.

¶86. Child R’s parents stressed that children should never experience such fear or trauma or be failed in the way that occurred on 29 July 2024. They urged the Inquiry not just to ask questions but to provide answers and to secure meaningful change.

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