The Hart Space, where three little girls were killed in the Southport attack, will be relocated(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)

Southport family centre where knifeman killed little girls to be given new home

The seaside town has fought to regain normality after the horrendous attack on a class full of children was followed by mass rioting across the UK

by · The Mirror

The Southport family centre where three little girls were stabbed to death is being relocated after the tragedy.

Three died and 10 others were seriously injured when a knifeman attacked a Taylor Swift dance party full of children in July. The scene of the attack, the Hart Space, which hosted various groups for families and children, will be moved to new premises with the help of Sefton council.

Hart Space founder Jenie Scholes said staff were "heartbroken" and would "never forget" the events of July 29. She said: "When the Hart Space opened five years ago, the ethos was to create a space where everyone felt welcome and supported, and could make friends for life, navigating parenthood.

“While we will never forget, and remain heartbroken by the events in July, our mission remains the same and is stronger than ever." It comes as the Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood visited the Southport mosque which was besieged by rioters in the wake of the attack.

Tributes laid at the end of Hart Street in Southport for the children killed in a knife attack( Image: Liverpool Echo)

Ms Mahmood met imam Ibrahim Hussein and other worshippers who believed they would die, as thugs smashed windows and tried to set the building ablaze while they were trapped inside. The Justice Secretary described the town's response to the unrest as "the best of British" after local tradesmen and residents rallied to repair the mosque to its former glory.

She said: “This was my first opportunity to come and show solidarity with the worshippers here after everything they went through. But also to recognise the strength of community spirit that saw off the forces of hate here in Southport and across the country as well, and to show that we are always much stronger when we are united.”

Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Da Silva Aguiar, nine, were all killed in the attack, while several other children were seriously injured. Dance teacher Leanne Lucas also suffered life changing injuries and has had a long battle to recover with several trips in and out of hospital. Earlier this week Health Secretary Wes Streeting also paid tribute to Merseyside paramedics who responded to the horrific attack.

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood meets the imam of Southport Islamic Centre Mosque, Ibrahim Hussein( Image: PA)

Speaking on the final day of the Labour Party Conference, Mr Streeting said: "Dave has worked in the ambulance service for nearly 30 years. But nothing could have prepared him for what he faced on Monday July 29.

"He arrived on the scene in Southport to find children who had gone to dance to Taylor Swift and the adults whose sole purpose was to bring joy to their young lives, lying bleeding, some tragically dying. The result of an unimaginable, senseless, mindless attack.

"I listened to Dave describe the split second decisions he had to make, of who to treat, in what order, to give them the best chance of survival. And I heard how the whole NHS team came together - security rushing children through busy hospital corridors, technicians mobilising blood supplies, reception fielding calls from panicstricken parents and surgical teams fighting to save those young lives.

"Those heroes represent the very best of the NHS and we owe them a debt of gratitude we can never repay."