Taylor Swift met with some of the children who were injured in the Southport stabbings at Wembley Arena over the weekend, per The Mirror.
The incident left Southport in sho
ck. Credit: Christopher Furlong/Getty
The tragic incident occurred on July 29 during a Swift-themed dance party in Southport, where several young girls were brutally attacked by a knifeman.
Three children lost their lives in the attack: six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar. Six other children were left in critical condition.
As the ‘Shake It Off’ singer returned to Wembley for her sold-out Eras World Tour shows, she took the time to meet with some of the young survivors and their families before the concert.
Reports suggest that Swift privately reached out to the victims’ families of the Southport attack before her first UK Eras Tour appearance since the devastating loss of the three children.
The attack took place at a hypnobirthing center, which had been hosting a kids’ club event where around 25 children were participating in dance and craft activities.
Police confirmed that they arrested a 17-year-old boy in connection with the crime, as an investigation for a motive continues.
Yvette Cooper, the Secretary of State for the Home Department, told reporters on Tuesday: “There is a serious criminal investigation underway because this was a horrific attack. It’s important that the police pursue every single avenue, and that is what Merseyside Police are now doing.”
Following the attack, Swift expressed her grief on social media, writing: “The horror of yesterday’s attack in Southport is washing over me continuously, and I’m just completely in shock.
“The loss of life and innocence, and the horrendous trauma inflicted on everyone who was there—the families, and first responders. These were just little kids at a dance class. I am at a complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families.”
Credit: Andreas Rentz/TAS24 / Getty
In response to the incident, security measures were heightened at Wembley Stadium amid concerns following a foiled terror plot in Vienna, Austria.
For all of Taylor’s London dates, stewards will be checking the area to ensure that only those with tickets are present, and non-ticket holders gathering near the Olympic Steps or entrances will be asked to move along.
Additional rules for concertgoers include limiting bags to A4 size, prohibiting face coverings unless for religious or medical reasons, and banning chains, studded jewelry, and hard plastic items from being brought into the stadium.
