Government inquiry to examine events leading to Hart Street attack

A formal inquiry into the 2024 knife attack at a Southport children’s dance event on Hart Street has launched today, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has announced.

Rudakubana admitted to the murder of the three girls on the opening day of his trial in January, after changing his plea to guilty for three counts of murder, and a range of other offences.

The inquiry is tasked with reviewing Axel Rudakubana’s background, including any interactions with social care, health services, educational institutions, criminal justice agencies and will hear evidence from those who were directly impacted and from relevant authorities involved in his case.

The inquiry, split into two phases, will have statutory powers, meaning it can compel witnesses to give evidence under oath, and compel documents from relevant bodies and agencies.

Phase 1 will focus on gathering evidence about Rudakubana’s interactions with various agencies and building a thorough timeline of his history. This phase also aims to provide a clear understanding of how decisions were made, how information was shared among authorities, and whether any opportunities were missed that could have mitigated the risk he posed.

Phase 2 will subsequently consider the broader adequacy of multi-agency systems in addressing threats posed by young individuals who exhibit a fixation on, or intent to carry out, extreme violence.

Rt Hon Sir Adrian Fulford, a retired Lord Justice of Appeal and former judge of the International Criminal Court, will chair the inquiry.

Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper said: “The brutal murder of three young girls, Bebe, Elsie and Alice in Southport was an unimaginable tragedy – we owe it to their families, and all those affected on that terrible day to understand wass went wrong, answer difficult questions and do everything in our power to prevent something like this from happening again.

“The Southport Inquiry will provide insights into any failings that allowed a young man with a previous history of violence, to commit this horrendous attack.

“Sir Adrian Fulford will bring a wealth of legal and criminal justice expertise to this rose, and I am pleased he has agreed to chair the Inquiry.”

The terms of reference for the Inquiry say that the initial Phase 1 report should be submitted towards the end of 2025 or early 2026.