Archives July 2026

By On The Spot News · 10th June 2025

Southport’s historic Town Hall gardens space will undergo its most significant and biggest regeneration ever, creating a family-friendly, child-orientated, and safe open-air performance and gathering space as a lasting tribute to the people of the town.

The transformation is being led by the families of Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice Da Silva Aguiar, and Bebe King, whose shared love of dance, music and the arts has inspired a vision for a new town square that will be an inclusive community focussed events space in the heart of Southport Town Centre.

The Town Hall gardens space has long been an integral part of Southport’s rich history, but in the wake of the tragic events of 2024 it took on new meaning as a place of unity, healing, hope and remembrance.

Thousands gathered here for a community vigil and used it as a place to leave tributes and flowers for the victims of the tragedy, demonstrating the community’s strength in adversity.

Their families envision the Town Hall gardens space as a safe and joyful place, full of energy and creative expression, particularly for Southport’s younger generations.

Ahead of the full-scale transformation, temporary improvements have been made to the Town Hall Gardens space to enhance its appearance and atmosphere. Floral planters were installed last month to bring colour and vibrancy to the area during the Spring and Summer of 2025, creating a welcoming and uplifting space for visitors and residents alike, before works commence on the space in due course.

These enhancements will serve as a symbol of renewal and positivity, ensuring that the gardens remain a beautiful and inviting part of Southport throughout the transition period.

In direct reflection of the spirit of Elsie, Alice and Bebe, the reimagined Town Hall Gardens will provide a child friendly and safe platform for musicians, dancers, artists, culture lovers and more, ensuring it remains a vibrant hub for generations to come.

Beyond its cultural significance, the regeneration project will play a key role in Southport’s ongoing economic recovery and growth. By creating a flexible high-quality public space, the project will attract visitors, support local businesses, and complement other landmark public and private sector led developments in the town.

The project will also be accompanied by an exciting events programme for Southport for the coming years and beyond, helping to make Southport’s town centre as exciting a place to be as possible for children and families.

Sefton Council has worked closely with the families to secure local and national funding and provided detailed feedback to ensure the project reflects the aspirations of the community.

This vital project is made possible thanks to a £10 million investment, with both Sefton Council and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority providing £2.5 million, and the UK Government allocating £5 million to the works.

The families of Alice Aguiar, Bebe King and Elsie Stancombe issued a joint statement welcoming the project.

They said “This project is a vision we have all shared for some time, which is rooted in love, resilience and unity.

“We wanted to find a way to thank the people of Southport for standing shoulder to shoulder with us. Your compassion has never wavered and your strength has helped carry us forward.

“The regeneration of the Town Hall Gardens will become a legacy inspired by our three beautiful and amazing girls and it will be a space that is loved by many generations to come.

“It will be a place of joy, hope and community. A vibrant place where children and families can feel safe, connected and celebrated in the heart of our town.

“We are grateful to the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, to Sefton Council and to the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and each of the region’s Councils, for listening to our voices and helping us achieve the funding we need for this project.

“This is only the beginning, and we all walk forward together with our amazing community in Southport, with purpose and hope.”

The Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, said: “The strength of everyone in Southport has been beyond words and I am delighted that we are able to help with the families’ vision to give back to that amazing community, who continue to give everything they can to those families and victims

“We are committing £5 million to help create a safe community space for connection, reflection, and renewal – a lasting symbol of hope, guided by the strength of the families and wider community.”

Leader of Sefton Council, Cllr Marion Atkinson, said: “A space for joy, culture, and togetherness will reflect Elsie, Alice, and Bebe’s vibrancy in a beautifully positive way.

“The Town Hall gardens and The Atkinson were where the community came together in their grief, demonstrating Southport’s incredible strength.

“It was a place of togetherness then, it is a place of togetherness now, and it will be for years to come. The regeneration will create a dynamic, family-friendly stage for creativity, celebrating the love for dance and the arts that meant so much to the girls.

“This project is a thank you to the people of Southport—to everyone in the town, in Sefton and beyond who played their part, big or small, in bringing unity and hope to the town. We have consistently said that we would be led by the families, and Sefton Council is privileged to have the opportunity to support them in fulfilling their shared ambition.”

The £10 million project has the full backing of Sefton Council, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, the UK Government and the Royal Family.

Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, said: “Few places capture the heart and soul of a community quite like Southport’s Town Hall Gardens.

“It became a place of reflection, resilience and unity where thousands came together to grieve, to support one another, and to stand as one.

“This regeneration is a powerful opportunity to give something back to that same community; a lasting symbol of hope and joy. By putting children, families and the arts at its core, we’re creating a space that honours the memory of Elsie, Alice and Bebe in the most meaningful way: by inspiring future generations.

“I’m incredibly proud that the Combined Authority is supporting this wonderful project – shaped by love, led by the families, and backed by the entire city region.”

Southport’s MP Patrick Hurley added: “This legacy project, to renovate, refurbish and remodel the gardens outside The Atkinson will be a nod to their memory and a flare of bright optimism for the future of Southport.

Southport’s community is a strong one. We gathered spontaneously and collectively in the gardens outside The Atkinson, standing defiantly in the face of evil. So it is fitting that as time goes on, these gardens are at the heart of the proposal for the renewal of Southport, not just to acknowledge the awful events of July, but more importantly, to recognise the spirit of the town, its people and the families of those affected in bringing Southport back into the light.

“I’m so pleased to be able to work with the national government, the local authority, and others to support the families as they continue their recovery and to ensure that this investment into Southport is made in the best interests of all.”

By On The Spot News · 17th November 2025

Our Girls: The Southport Families is a moving, hour-long documentary for BBC One and BBC iPlayer that follows the parents of three young girls – 9-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar, 6-year-old Bebe King, and 7-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe – who tragically lost their lives in the Southport attack.

The documentary will air on BBC One on Tuesday 9 December at 8pm and will be available on BBC iPlayer.

Last summer, three little girls had excitedly gone to a Taylor Swift-themed dance class and never came home, a tragedy that shocked the nation. Over the last nine months, a small team from BBC Breakfast followed the families’ journey through unimaginable grief and the beginnings of hope..

Their deeply personal interviews are shown alongside family footage shared for the first time. The documentary shows the joy the girls brought, and the legacies the parents are now building in their memory.

The film captures the parents’ plans to create lasting legacies in their daughters’ names: Alice’s Wonderdance, Bebe’s Hive, and Elsie’s Story. Sergio and David share their experiences training for and completing the London Marathon to raise funds for these projects and to build a playground at the school attended by two of the girls – a space for joy, remembrance, and community.

Richard Frediani, Executive Editor, BBC Breakfast and BBC News at One says: “This inspirational film is a heartfelt tribute to Alice, Bebe and Elsie, told through the voices of those who knew and loved them most. It is both heartbreaking and uplifting, a testament to the strength of three families united in grief and now driven by purpose to ensure their names are never forgotten. We’re endlessly grateful to Jenni and David, Lauren and Ben, and Sergio and Alex for sharing their stories with such courage and honesty.”

Sarah Campbell, BBC News correspondent, says: “It has been a huge privilege to have been able to document how the families of Alice, Bebe and Elsie have worked to create a positive legacy for their daughters. Our hope is that people will take from their story that it is possible to find light and humanity in the darkest of times.”

By Merseyside Police Commissioner Press Release · 9th July 2026

Liverpool has become home to the first youth court support service of its kind on mainland Britain, with the launch of a pioneering new programme designed to help young people and their families navigate the justice system with confidence and understanding.

Young people appearing at Liverpool Combined Youth Court will receive enhanced support through the Merseyside Youth Court Solutions (MYCS) programme, which aims to make the justice process less intimidating, easier to understand and more responsive to the needs of children and young people.

Uniquely, the service provides support not only to young people attending court, but also to parents, carers, victims, witnesses and wider family members throughout the court process.

Delivered through a partnership between the Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership (MVRP), Merseyside Youth Justice Services, HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) and the Crysalys Foundation, it represents a significant step forward in creating a more child-centred, trauma-informed approach to youth justice.

The MYCS programme recognises that many children entering the justice system have experienced trauma, adversity or violence. By embedding a trauma-informed approach throughout the court environment, it ensures young people are seen not simply for their offences, but as individuals with the potential to make positive changes in their lives.

Based at Liverpool’s Queen Elizabeth II courts, the service offers practical and emotional support before, during and after court appearances. Support includes clear information and guidance, interactive digital resources, access to a dedicated Court Navigator, and private welfare spaces designed to reduce anxiety, improve understanding of court proceedings, and make the court experience more accessible and supportive.

Recent improvements to the welfare and briefing spaces have been designed to make the court environment less intimidating and more accessible for young people. The dedicated briefing room has been transformed into a comfortable space, featuring soft furnishings and a striking photographic mural of Liverpool’s skyline, helping to create a calmer and more familiar setting away from the formal courtroom environment. An interactive LEGO model of a courtroom scene is also available, allowing young people to visualise the layout of the court, understand where key individuals will be seated, and gain a clearer understanding of what to expect during proceedings.

In addition, the court’s holding cell has undergone a trauma-informed redesign, with calming nature-themed wall graphics, softer colours and a less institutional feel. These changes have been introduced to help reduce anxiety, promote wellbeing and ensure young people feel supported and better prepared throughout their time at court.

The Court Navigator role builds on the success of Merseyside’s Custody Navigator programme, which places trauma-informed youth workers in police cells to reach young people at their first point of contact with the justice system.

Launched last year, Navigators provide on-the-day advice, reassurance and practical support while helping young people and families access wider services, including mental health, education, training, housing, substance misuse and financial wellbeing support.

Navigators also work alongside Mersey Care Criminal Justice Liaison and Diversion teams to identify and respond to health, wellbeing and vulnerability needs at the earliest opportunity.

Through early intervention, advice and referrals, the programme tackles the issues that can contribute to offending behaviour, aiming to reduce reoffending, improve life chances and support safer communities.

Sharon Brownlow, Youth Justice Lead at the Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership, said: “We are proud to be driving forward Youth Court Solutions and the introduction of Court Navigators as part of a more compassionate and effective approach to youth justice.

“Merseyside is leading the way in creating a more supportive court environment, with dedicated spaces, accessible information and on-the-day support designed around the needs of children, families, victims and witnesses.

“This joined up approach, funded by the Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership, demonstrates a shared commitment to improving outcomes, supporting positive futures and creating safer communities.”

Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell said: “Too often, when young people encounter the justice system, it reflects wider challenges in their lives, including trauma and unmet need.

“Building on the success of our Custody Navigator programme, this pioneering service will help children and families understand the court process, access practical support and feel more confident about what comes next.

“It’s a great example of partners working together to create a system that holds young people to account, while giving them the opportunity to learn from their mistakes, move forward, make safer choices and build brighter futures.”

The Crysalys Foundation is an incubator organisation bringing together cross-sector partners to research and innovate for public benefit, focused on childhood trauma.

Adrian Pryce DL, Chair, Crysalys Foundation said: ” At Crysalys, we believe every child deserves a positive future. Youth Court Solutions recognises that when a young person becomes involved in the criminal justice system, we must look beyond the offence to understand the underlying experiences of trauma, adversity, and unmet need.

“By providing practical support, compassion and hope at the right moment, we can help young people, and their families begin a journey towards safer, healthier and more fulfilling lives.

“We know that lasting success is measured not simply by reducing reoffending, important though that is. It is achieved by supporting families, recognising the needs of victims and witnesses, and helping young people break cycles of offending before they become lifelong patterns.

“Youth Court Solutions is about creating a more humane, trauma-informed court experience that gives children the chance to make better choices for the future.”

Clare Beech, Head of Operations, North West Magistrates’ Courts, HMCTS said: “Through this partnership, we are helping to create a court environment that is more accessible and responsive to the needs of young people. By working together to improve understanding and access to support, we can help children and families navigate the justice system with greater confidence.”

The next phase of the project will see Merseyside Youth Court Solutions extended into the court witness suite and family court setting. Plans include the development of dedicated family rooms and the introduction of further interactive digital resources to support children, young people, victims, witnesses and families attending court.

By On The Spot News · 10th July 2026

Merseyside Police have issued a dispersal zone across the Sefton Coastline due to the warmer weather and the increased number of visitors to our beaches that could cause antisocial behaviour in the area.

The order runs from 6pm today, Friday 10 July until 6pm, Sunday 12 July and covers the area outlined in the map from Formby Beach, Victoria Road, Merseyrail Railway line at Freshfield Train Station to Crosby Road South, Cambridge Road, Marine Lake.

The order comes under Section 34 of the Anti-Social Behaviour & Policing Act 2014, which gives police officers and police community support traffic officers powers to direct people they suspect are causing or likely to cause crime, nuisance or anti-social behaviour to members of the public to leave a designated area and not return for up to 48 hours.

Under the legislation, officers in uniform have the power to direct members of the public to leave the area if they are engaging in, or are likely to engage in, ASB. Should a person who has previously been directed to leave the area return, an offence would be committed, which they may ultimately be arrested for.

Sefton neighbourhood policing Inspector Ken Sumner said: “Last month we received increased reports of alcohol related disorder, disruptive behaviour, traffic offences, criminal damage and littering on our beaches during the warm sunny weather. Therefore, we have issued a dispersal order to prevent any further incidents in the area this weekend.

“The coastal locations of Waterloo, Crosby, Blundellsands, Hightown and Formby are expected to be very busy and crowded over the weekend. We have increased patrols in the area which is in addition to our dedicated neighbourhood police officers, and they will deal with any issues and prevent offences from taking place.

“If you are a parent or guardian of a child or young person please take the time to find out exactly where they are and who they’re with, to ensure they don’t become involved in situations which could cause disruption or distress over the summer period.”

“If you witness any anti-social behaviour or have any information about such incidents, please contact or speak to our officers and we will take action.”

Anyone who wishes to report anti-social or criminal behaviour can contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X or Facebook @MerPolCC.

You can also report information via the Merseyside Police website or call 101.

In an emergency always call 999.

By On The Spot News · 10th July 2026

British Transport Police (BTP) officers have released an image of a man they’d like to speak to after a sexual assault at Liverpool Central railway station.

At around 9.30pm on Thursday 14 May, the victim was on platform one when she was approached by a man who put his arm over her shoulder before sexually assaulting her.

Officers believe the man in the image could have information that may assist their enquiries.

Anyone who recognises him is asked to text BTP on 61016, or call 0800 40 50 40, using the reference 153 of 15 May.

Information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

By On The Spot News · 14th November 2025

A stalker who waged a personal vendetta against a hard working pizza restaurant owner because of a Facebook comment has been jailed.

Bolton man Colin Cooper subjected the owner of 600 Degrees Pizza – Dan Johnstone – to a deliberate campaign of obsessive harassment over the course of months.

The victim never knew his stalker personally and believes the ordeal began through a Facebook exchange on a local food page.

A court heard this week how Cooper smashed the window of the premises with a brick, repeatedly spray paint graffiti over the frontage and attack the store with a hammer.

He even went on to accused his victim of being a sex offender, having similarly sought revenge against former landlords whom he felt had wronged him, court reporters from the Liverpool Echo detailed.

Stella Hayden, prosecuting, told the court: “Mr Johnstone does not know the defendant personally, but had an exchange with him on Facebook regarding comments that the defendant had made regarding Mr Johnstone’s business on the Southport Food Forum. That grievance appears to have prompted the defendant to launch a campaign against Mr Johnstone.”

Cooper, who was represented by Frank Dillon, admitted stalking, witness intimidation and a total of nine counts of criminal damage. Appearing in court via video link from prison, he was jailed for 26 months.

Sentencing, Recorder Martine Snowdon told Cooper that his “frightening behaviour” had been “designed to intimidate”. He was also handed a restraining order and told to pay compensation.