Today marks two years since the murders of three young girls at a dance class in Southport. Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar attended the Hart Space alongside 23 other children on the morning of July 29, 2024, for what was meant to be a fun-filled Taylor Swift-themed workshop.
The actions of one individual, compounded by a catalogue of failings in the preceding years, resulted in the deaths of all three girls, along with physical injuries sustained by eight other children and two adults — an unthinkable tragedy that shook Southport to its core and left families with wounds that will never fully heal.
Community response and charitable foundations
In the days that followed, an enormous outpouring of love was directed towards all those affected. Hundreds of floral tributes lined streets throughout Southport, thousands of pounds were raised, and the families of Bebe, Elsie and Alice each displayed remarkable fortitude in the face of inconceivable grief. The parents of each girl have since established their own charitable foundations — Bebe's Hive, Elsie's Story and Alice's Wonderdance — all of which aim to give back to the local community and support children coping with bereavement.
The town is also set to honour the three girls and all those touched by the tragedy through the regeneration of the Town Hall gardens outside The Atkinson in the town centre. After thousands gathered for a poignant vigil in the gardens the day after the attack, the location was selected to remember Bebe, Elsie and Alice, with the intention of transforming it into an inclusive, community-centred events space.
Plans for the anniversary
Today, two years on, the town will fall silent as people come together to remember the three girls. Sefton Council has issued an open letter detailing how the town intends to acknowledge the tragedy. The letter said: "Our thoughts remain with the families of Alice, Bebe and Elsie, everyone injured physically and psychologically, their families and their loved ones and all those whose lives were changed that day."
"We know this will be an incredibly difficult time and many of you will be wondering how best to mark the date. Your compassion and support continues to be a source of comfort to all affected and unwavering acts of kindness have meant more than words can express."
The public have been requested not to leave floral tributes, particularly at Hart Street or at any school locations. Instead, people are being encouraged to donate to local causes throughout Southport in lieu of flowers. A three-minute silence will also take place across Southport at 3pm to honour all those affected.
The letter added: "Our colleagues have been working with faith and community leaders to once again identify local spaces where you can go, within your own neighbourhoods, to say a prayer, light a candle, speak to someone or spend a quiet moment reflecting in whatever way feels right for you."
Flags will also be lowered to half-mast on all public buildings in Sefton. Support can be accessed by visiting www.sefton.gov.uk/southporttogether.
Earlier this year, a public inquiry into the attack, carried out by Axel Rudakubana, found it “could and should have been prevented” if steps had been taken by agencies and his parents.
