Southport Inquiry: Phase 1 hearings conclude
25th November 2025
Phase 1 of the Southport Inquiry, chaired by Sir Adrian Fulford has concluded with closing submissions filed on 24 November 2025.
On 29 July 2024, Axel Rudakubana carried out a brutal knife attack at a children’s dance club in Southport. He murdered 3 young girls, Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice da Silva Aguiar and Bebe King, and injured 10 other people. Sixteen others survived the attack but live with the serious emotional consequences.
Phase 1 of the Inquiry aims to (i) establish a definitive account of the events leading up to the Southport attack and the attack itself; and (ii) review the decision-making and information-sharing by local services and agencies which interacted with Axel Rudakubana prior to the attack to examine whether there were opportunities to manage the risk he posed to the public, making any required recommendations for improvements.
The Inquiry, held in Liverpool Town Hall, heard from around 90 witnesses, with other evidence summarised.
The Inquiry’s Phase 1 report is expected in Spring 2026. Phase 2 will examine the wider issue of young people being drawn into extreme violence.
James Berry KC and Chloe Hill act for Merseyside Police.
John Beggs KC and Oliver Williamson act for Lancashire Police.
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