The King has said he and the Queen are “profoundly shocked” by the “utterly horrific” knife attack which killed two children in Southport.

He said: “My wife and I have been profoundly shocked to hear of the utterly horrific incident in Southport today.

“We send our most heartfelt condolences, prayers and deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones to those who have so tragically lost their lives, and to all those affected by this truly appalling attack.”

Southport stabbings: Follow live updates

Two children have died and nine others are injured after the stabbing at a community centre in Southport, north of Liverpool, on Monday morning.

All of the nine children who were injured were stabbed and six are in a critical condition.

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Two adults are also in a critical condition, after trying to protect the children.

The children were attending a Taylor Swift-themed dance event at The Hart Centre on Hart Street when the offender, armed with a knife, walked into the premises, Merseyside Police said in a news conference.

A 17-year-old boy from the nearby village of Banks in Lancashire, who was born in Cardiff, Wales, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said earlier that the whole country is “deeply shocked” by the attack.

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What we know about Southport mass stabbing

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He thanked police and the emergency services, adding: “I know I speak for everybody in the whole country in saying our thoughts and condolences are with the victims, their families, their friends and the wider community.”

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper also wrote on X: “The news from Southport is truly devastating. My heart goes out to all the families affected by this horrific incident & to the whole community.”

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Merseyside’s Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell said she was “utterly shocked” by what happened, adding: “These young people had their whole lives ahead of them and it is hard to find the words to convey our deep sadness.”

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