Leanne Lucas, who was seriously injured in the Southport attack in July 2024, has spoken about why she continues to live in the town where she was attacked. She was leading a Taylor Swift-themed dance class at the Hart Space when a man entered and attacked 11 children and two adults with a knife, killing Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice da Silva Aguiar.
Why Leanne Lucas stays in Southport
Leanne, 37, now lives with her parents in Marshside, but she returned to her own home, which she visits regularly, to speak to the Visiter. She said many people ask why she still lives in Southport. "A lot of people ask me why I still live here, but it's not that simple," she said. "Southport is my home and my support network is here."
She added: "I have a lot of good memories here as well as, obviously, the bad one. It's not that simple as just leaving somewhere, is it? You leave behind everything." While she owns a semi-detached house half a mile from the scene of the attack, she no longer feels comfortable staying there and lives with the mental and physical scars left behind by the attack.
Building a movement for change
Since the attack, Leanne has built what she describes as a movement in the form of Let's Be Blunt CIC. While her campaign appears to be centred on round-tip knives, it also focuses on wider changes needed in society. She said she has received support from across the nation.
Leanne's full interview featured in the Southport Visiter newsletter published yesterday, concluding its first week. Edited by Ben Haslam, the newsletter is available to view here where you can read Leanne's interview in full.
