Woman arrested for 'sharing inaccurate information about identity of Southport attacker' as police issue warning

A woman has been arrested in relation to a social media post containing 'inaccurate information about the identity of the attacker' in the Southport stabbings.

The 55-year-old woman from near Chester, was arrested on Thursday (August 8). She was taken into custody on suspicion of publishing written material to stir up racial hatred and false communications.

She is in police custody where she is assisting with enquiries, Cheshire Constabulary said.

READ MORE Inquests into deaths of three girls killed in Southport opened

Three girls, Bebe King, six, Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, died after being stabbed at the Hart Space in Southport while attending a Taylor Swift dance class on July 29. Eight other children and two adults had been left seriously injured in the incident.

Axel Rudakubana, 17, from Lancashire, is set to stand trial next year after being charged with three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article in a public place.

Sharing a warning about posting false information online, Chief Superintendent Alison Ross of Cheshire Police said: “We have all seen the violent disorder that has taken place across the UK over the past week, much of which has been fuelled by malicious and inaccurate communications online.

“It’s a stark reminder of the dangers of posting information on social media platforms without checking the accuracy. It also acts as a warning that we are all accountable for our actions, whether that be online or in person.”