Man 'wearing balaclava and carrying flick-knife' arrested in Southport just yards away from vigil for stabbing victims

A police statement said: "We have arrested a man and seized a flick knife following an incident in Southport this evening.

"A report was received at 6.50pm that a man had been seen with a knife on Eastbank Street. Officers attended and a man was detained at around 6.55pm, and a flick knife recovered. There are no reports anyone was injured during the incident.

"A 32-year-old man from Standish was arrested on suspicion of possession of a bladed article, and taken into custody."

Detective Inspector Gavin Mulcahy said: "We know too well the devastating impact knife crime can have for victims, their families and friends, and those who carry them.

"This week has seen an unspeakable tragedy unfold in Southport, and this incident occurred a short distance from where a vigil had been happening where the community was paying their respects to all those affected.

"Officers made a swift arrest and have seized a knife that could have been used to cause harm in our communities.

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"Those offenders who carry them have no place whatsoever in our communities.

"Every day we are carrying out stop checks, warrants and land searches to take knives off our streets, but as this incident shows, the assistance of members of the public in telling us where they are stored and who is carrying them is vital to ensure the safety of families and residents."

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer visited the town on Tuesday and thanked emergency service workers, telling them: "I hope you feel proud of the part that you played in the most difficult circumstances, to do what you could for those young lives."

But the PM was greeted by hecklers, with more than one person shouting: "How many more, Starmer? When are you going to do something?"

Later, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper updated MPs on the attack in the House of Commons on Tuesday evening, where she described it as an "unspeakable tragedy".

Cooper told the Commons: "These were young children, dancing to Taylor Swift and celebrating the start of the school holidays. What should have been a joyful start to the summer turned into an unspeakable tragedy."

Police have said that, although the motive for the attack is unclear, it is not believed to be terror-related.

The Home Secretary said Merseyside Police were leading an "extremely serious criminal investigation", telling MPs the force is "being supported by counter-terrorism police".