We will name police and social workers unless action taken, Southport families lawyer says
We will name police and social workers unless action is taken, Southport families lawyer says
The legal representative of the three murdered girls’ families has stated that individuals who did not act to prevent the Southport attacks will be publicly identified unless appropriate disciplinary steps are implemented. The victims—Bebe King, six; Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven; and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine—were killed by 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in June 2024.
Inquiry highlights systemic failures
A recent public inquiry has concluded that “catastrophic” shortcomings existed in both parental oversight and local authority responsibilities. The report criticized the repeated referrals and transfers between agencies, which failed to address the “predictable and preventable” nature of the attack. Chris Walker, the families’ lawyer, emphasized that the five key agencies involved—Prevent, Lancashire Police, Lancashire Social Services, CAMHS, and FCAMHS—will be scrutinized for their role.
“There are five particular state entities which are causing us most concern, and we, frankly, find their behaviour unacceptable,” Walker stated.
Prevent, a Home Office program designed to counter extremism, was called out for its lack of ideological clarity. Walker explained: “Prevent have a real issue with understanding the word ‘ideology’. They’ve failed to implement the ideological consequences or understanding in terms of their various gateways. The intention to cause mass murder is immaterial—it is the desire to do so that must be stopped.”
Families relive trauma with each new report
Walker described the families’ current experience as being trapped in a “horror movie,” with each new inquiry rekindling their grief. He said: “Every time there’s a new report, every time there’s a new incident, they are reliving the horror movie once again—and that’s exactly where they are now.”
“The murders were predictable and preventable,” he added. “We find the systemic failures, and the failings of individuals at those five agencies, to be wholly unacceptable.”
The inquiry revealed that no agency or multi-agency structure took accountability for assessing the “grave risk” posed by the attacker. His autism was cited as an “excuse” for past behavior, leading to an underestimation of the threat he represented. Inquiry chairman Sir Adrian Fulford urged an end to the “culture” of agencies shifting blame or minimizing their involvement.
Next steps for the inquiry
Following the release of the 760-page Phase One report, Phase Two will commence immediately, focusing on the effectiveness of risk management systems for individuals fixated on extreme violence. Walker aims to follow up with the agencies to ensure disciplinary proceedings meet the families’ expectations, stating: “We can’t have a situation where we lurch from disaster to disaster, from inquiry to inquiry—there has to be the change.”
Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via WhatsApp to 0808 100 2230.
