James Cave | OTS News

Yvette Cooper announces public inquiry into Southport attack

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has announced the government will hold a public inquiry, to determine how Axel Rudakubana was able to conduct the murder of three girls despite being known to a

20th January 2025

Hart St suspect will stand trial after ‘not guilty’ pleas entered

Axel Rudakubana has had pleas of ‘not guilty’ entered on his behalf at Liverpool Crown Court today, after refusing to speak when arraigned for the murders of Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice Aguilar

18th December 2024

Southport town centre businesses see turnover drop by up to 70% following July events

Town centre businesses in Southport have experienced a dramatic downturn in turnover, with reductions ranging from 40% to 70% following the events of July 2024, according to a report presented to Sefton

11th December 2024

Southport MP Patrick Hurley to vote against assisted dying bill

Southport MP Patrick Hurley has told constituents he plans to vote against a bill that could legalise assisted dying for terminally ill patients. MPs will be given a free vote in the

28th November 2024

Firefighters tackle blaze at former Hesketh Centre building

A significant emergency services present is operating on Albert Road, with firefighters from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service extinguishing a blaze at the former Hesketh Centre building. OTS News understands that emergency

16th November 2024

Axel Rudakubana silent again through latest court hearing

Axel Rudakubana once again refused to engage with Liverpool Crown Court during a plea and preparation hearing on his charges of murder and attempted murder this afternoon. Rudakubana, now 18, appeared via

13th November 2024

Sefton Conservatives suggest hoodies to aid pensioners amid fuel cuts

Councillors could vote to give pensioners in Southport hoodies sponsored by local businesses to keep them warm this winter. Conservative group leader Mike Prendergast has proposed the suggestion as part of a

7th November 2024

Hart Street suspect faces new charges after Al-Qaeda manual, ricin found at home

The suspect charged with July’s attack at Hart Street will face additional charges after it was revealed he accessed an Al-Qaeda manual and ricin was found in his home. Axel Rudakubana will

29th October 2024

Sentences for Southport Mosque riot surge past 100 years

Those involved in the violent riots outside Southport Mosque in July have now collectively received over 100 years of prison sentences. The unrest erupted on 30 July, just a day after the

18th October 2024

Southport 24 Hour A&E unit marked for closure

Southport residents voice concerns over emergency care shakeup

Local residents are expressing both curiosity and concern in response to a series of public meetings being held by local healthcare providers, chiefly Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (MWLTH),

2nd October 2024

Formby High teacher from Southport jailed for sending explicit images to children

A former Formby High School art teacher from Southport has been jailed for 30 months after pleading guilty to sending sexual images to children. Robert Collins, 39 of Banks Road, was discovered

25th September 2024

New home for Hart Space at The Promenade White House

Sefton Council have announced that The White House on The Promenade will become the future home of The Hart Space. A press release from Sefton Council said: “The Local Authority have continuously

25th September 2024

Residents left in the dark as surprise land clearance for housing begins

Residents of Broome Road in Southport were left in shock on Monday when contractors arrived without warning, bringing heavy machinery to clear vegetation and prepare land for investigations for potential development. The

16th September 2024

‘Options’ being assessed at Smedley Hydro but no changes until 2030

OTS News has learned that the government is considering the “long-term options” for Smedley Hydro following speculation on the site’s future. A government spokesperson has confirmed to OTS News that there will

14th September 2024

Political unity dissolves as Sefton Council debates winter fuel payments

On Thursday evening, in a night of contrasting emotions, Sefton Council convened two separate meetings at Southport Town Hall. The first session saw rare political unity as councillors paid tribute to the

13th September 2024

MP warns of potential closure of Smedley Hydro

Patrick Hurley has written to Nick Thomas-Symonds in a letter that alludes to the potential closure of Smedley Hydro. The site, home to the General Register Office for England and Wales, is

13th September 2024

Body recovered from Marine Lake

This breaking news story will be updated. Merseyside Police have confirmed that the body of a man has been recovered from Marine Lake this evening. Emergency Services were called at approximately 6.45pm

10th September 2024

Town MP backs government in winter fuel payment cut

Southport MP Patrick Hurley voted with the government on Tuesday, defeating a Conservative motion aimed at preserving universal winter fuel payments for pensioners. The outcome paves the way for new measures that

10th September 2024

Council to launch £500k Hart Street recovery business fund

Sefton Council will establish a £500,000 Business Recovery Fund to support local businesses affected by the Hart Street attack and St Luke’s Road riot, new documents have revealed. The proposal, set to

2nd September 2024

Lincoln House GP surgery to close

Patients of Lincoln House GP surgery are receiving letters informing them that the practice is to close. Southport And Formby Health, a private company offering NHS services have been operating the surgery

22nd August 2024

Southport girl, 6, cuts ribbon at new Home Bargains store

A Home Bargains super-fan from Southport has opened the chain’s new Warrington store. Jessica Howard, 6, who attends Larkfield Primary, was invited to open the new store with her brother, 8-year-old George

21st August 2024

Patrick Hurley: ‘Town’s grief is still raw’

Patrick Hurley said that today’s visit from King Charles III showed that “the nation has our back” after the Hart Street attack and subsequent riot on St Luke’s Road. The MP was

20th August 2024

King Charles to visit Southport on Tuesday

Buckingham Palace has announced that King Charles will visit Southport later today. His Majesty will travel to Southport to “express his continued support for those affected by the 29th July attack, and

20th August 2024

Chester woman held for inaccurate information on Southport attacker

Officers from Cheshire Police have arrested a woman in relation to social media post containing inaccurate information about the identity of the attacker in the Southport murders. The 55-year-old woman from near

8th August 2024

Inquests opened, adjourned, into deaths of Hart St victims

Inquests into the deaths of Elsie Dot Stancombe, Bebe King, and Alice Aguilar were opened and adjourned at Bootle Town Hall this morning. Senior coroner Julie Goulding led the “short and sombre”

7th August 2024

Southport rioter pleads guilty after punching police officer

A Southport man has this morning pled guilty to charges of violent disorder and assaulting an emergency services worker following rioting outside a mosque. Derek Drummond, 58, of Southport pled guilty to

5th August 2024

OPINION | Our personal account of these tragic days

Life is different here now. This is a new reality and there is no returning to how things were before. This is a tragedy and atrocity that will remain with us forever.

2nd August 2024

Hart Street murder suspect charged

Police have formally charged a 17-year-old male with three counts of murder and ten counts of attempted murder following tragic scenes in Southport this week. The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for

1st August 2024

Police confirm third child has died from Hart Street attack

A third child, a nine-year-old girl, has died following yesterday’s attack on Hart Street in Southport. At approximately midday, Merseyside Police announced the third fatality resulting from Monday’s attack, while also confirming

30th July 2024

Southport MP: Town is in shock

Southport’s MP Patrick Hurley says that “the town is in shock” after yesterday’s tragic attack on Hart Street. Two children have died as a result of the attack, while 2 adults and

30th July 2024