Police have said no additional charges are being investigated into the knife attacks in Southport.On 29 July 2024, Axel Rudakubana killed three setting of young girls, and he seriously hurt 10 others, including eight kids, in a Taylor Swift-themed dance lesson in the Merseyside town.Following the January sentencing in a separate case of Rudakubana, a Bank in Lancashire, who will have to spend at least 52 years in custody, the Merseyside Police announced that they are investigating whether any individual could have helped this man or not have prevented his actions.The force has now said that following a "detailed review... no further charges will be put during this phase".
'Comprehensive review'
Merseyside Police in a statement said: During the criminal investigation, which was conducted over the Southport murders, various lines of inquiry were followed. The investigation had some of the aspects that enabled consideration of charges to be leveled to some people who might have helped Axel Rudakubana or may have helped him commit other crimes or maybe had the capacity to prevent his crimes.After trial, the force then carried out a thorough review of all the material before them and put the material in the context of the case law and other statutory offences that might have become available. Therefore, the decision has been reached that refers to the fact that no additional charges will be filed in this case.Seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, six-year-old Bebe King and Alice da Silva Aguiar nine died in the assault.Besides eight other children, 2 adults, dance class leader Leanne Lucas and businessman Jonathan Hayes, were also seriously injured.In April a public inquiry into the attacks started.The inquiry was chaired by former Court of Appeal vice-president Sir Adrian Fulford who was appointed by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.The second and third phases of review will examine policing, criminal justice system and institutions involved in the life of Rudakubana.