Keir Starmer issues direct message to Southport community and vows action as he addresses 'harrowing moment'

"No words will ever be able to capture the depth of their pain.

"I want to say directly to the survivors, families and community of Southport - you are not alone. We stand with you in your grief.

"What happened in Southport was an atrocity and as the judge has stated, this vile offender will likely never be released.

"After one of the most harrowing moments in our country’s history we owe it to these innocent young girls and all those affected to deliver the change that they deserve."

Sarah Hammond, Chief Crown Prosecutor at the CPS's Mersey-Cheshire branch, also paid tribute "to the victims and their families in this harrowing case" in a further statement on Thursday.

Calling Rudakubana's crimes "dreadful", Hammond said that the case "is one of the most harrowing that I, as the Chief Crown Prosecutor for this area, have ever come across".

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"Axel Rudakubana is a murderer; utter devastation followed as he acted out a meticulously planned rampage of murder and violence," she said.

"His purpose was to kill and he targeted the youngest, most vulnerable - no doubt in order to spread the greatest level of fear and outrage, which he did.

"Three days ago, he pleaded guilty to all 16 counts against him, saving the families of the victims the trauma of reliving the events of that day in a trial.

"But he has never expressed any remorse, only cowardice, in his refusal to face the families whose lives he has forever changed.

"This has been an extremely difficult case for the whole prosecution team and police officers at Merseyside Police. They have had to work through some harrowing footage and evidence.

"I would like to thank them for their perseverance, compassion and determination to achieve justice for the victims and their families.

"This sentencing brings to an end this case, but the events of that day will leave a tragic legacy that will unfortunately endure for many years."

The victims and their families "have shown tremendous dignity and composure in the face of unbelievable horror", she added.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper also released a statement after the sentencing.

She said: "The whole country has been horrified beyond words by these truly horrendous, cowardly and evil crimes.

"We will always remember Bebe, Elsie and Alice, and the happiness they brought to their families in their short lives.

"And we will remember too the strength and bravery shown by the survivors of this horrific attack, and the astounding courage of those who rushed towards danger and undoubtedly saved many more lives.

"The police and emergency services who responded that day deserve our eternal gratitude, and we thank too the investigators and prosecutors who have worked so hard for justice, and Mr Justice Goose for presiding over these hugely difficult proceedings.

"We have vowed to get the answers the country deserves about how this horror was allowed to happen and to ensure that lessons are learned.

"I will set out further details of the independent public inquiry soon, but for today, all our thoughts are with the families enduring this unimaginable pain, and the example of strength and courage they have provided to us all."