People in Southport are being advised to prepare for any emotional distress they may feel ahead of extensive media scrutiny on the town over the next few weeks. A media spotlight is being shone on the town ahead of the one year on mark from last summer’s traumatic attacks. The coverage begins with a hour long Channel Four documentary broadcast on Thursday July 24th called ‘One Day In Southport’ which features firsthand accounts of the horrific ordeal from at least one survivor and other eye witnesses. National press are expected to be broadcasting live from the town throughout next Tuesday…
Author: On The Spot News
Sefton Council leader Cllr Marion Atkinson has insisted that plans to regenerate Southport’s Town Hall Gardens as a beautiful space to in memory of Alice, Elsie and Bebe will not be delayed because of protesters disrupting a recent Council meeting. Hot seat Appearing on BBC Radio Merseyside’s Hot Seat session on Friday (18th July), Cllr Atkinson confirmed the £10 million scheme that was due to be approved at the postponed meeting would go ahead as planned. She said: “We won’t let what happened stop what we need to do.” You can find about the plans for Southport’s Town Hall Gardens…
A yellow weather warning for thunderstorms has been issued for Southport, with the Met Office cautioning that heavy rain may lead to significant disruption from Friday night through much of Saturday. The Met Office has warned: “Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures. Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services.” The warning, which covers central and eastern England including the Southport area, highlights the potential for damage to property, transport disruption, and localised power outages. According to the forecast, areas…
Southport-based author and broadcaster John Keith’s new novel “The Shankly Conspiracy” is published this month by Pegasus Books. John, a well known Merseyside football journalist of over sixty years will join Liverpool FC legend Ian Callaghan to sign copies of the book at Waterstones in Chapel Street, Southport from 1pm on Saturday, August 2nd. “I’ve written 33 books, mainly on football, but this is my first novel, “ says John. “It is blend of fact and fiction with a storyline that embraces football, the Elgin Marbles, the Greek dictatorship and, of course, Bill Shankly, a man I was privileged to…
The father of Alice Da Silva Aguiar is preparing to beat six international marathons in a row to raise money in his beloved daughter’s memory. Sergio Aguiar, supported by wife Alex and thousands of Southport residents, will take on the Berlin, Chicago, New York, Tokyo, Boston and London Marathons in succession to raise funds for Alice’s WonderDance, a foundation in memory of his daughter Alice. A spokesperson for the charity said today “Alice’s WonderDance is officially launched! “We’re so proud to announce our very first fundraising campaign. Last April, Alice’s incredible dad, Sergio, ran the London Marathon in memory of his…
When the world’s top golfers need help with the putting game, they only have one man they can call. Phil Kenyon, from Southport, like most sandgrounders grew up surrounded by the game. An unavoidable bonus of living on Britain’s Golf Coast. His dad was friends with coaches who taught legends Nick Faldo, Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood among many others. “He would pay me to help him out, carrying his gear around, and was a huge inspiration,” said Kenyon. He quickly realised he “didn’t have the game” to make it as a professional golfer and turned his hand…
Councillors have today met with OpenReach bosses amid fears that telegraph poles could make an unwanted return to parts of the town. Dukes Councillor Mike Prendergast led a meeting at Southport Town Hall with other politicians who pushed the internet provision firm on their latest plans to install fibre optic broadband in the town. It comes after protests throughout 2023 and 2024 from residents in Churchtown who fought against plans to install unsightly telegraph poles. The residents were victorious at the time despite OpenReach saying the installation would result in more homes being upgraded quicker and more efficiently than digging…
Health chiefs are encouraging people to stay sun safe today (Saturday July 12th) as Southport enjoys one of the hottest days of the year so far. The mercury will tip over the 30°c mark today with weather forecasters saying blistering sunshine is all but guaranteed. With its coastline expected to be very busy over the coming days as temperatures soar, Sefton Council is urging people to plan their journeys to avoid queues hours spent in a boiling hot car and disruption for local residents. Sefton’s beaches are in easy walking distance from Merseyrail stations such as Southport, Birkdale, Hillside, Ainsdale,…
Merseyside Police is preparing to welcome large crowds for the Orange Lodge Parade in Liverpool and Southport tomorrow, Saturday 12 July. It’s anticipated that this year’s parade will have a large attendance as it falls on a Saturday and a policing plan is in place ahead of the event. Superintendent Phil Mullally said: “Tomorrow’s parade is expected to be well attended and we want everyone to enjoy the event safely. “I hope this will be an enjoyable day for all those attending as they celebrate with friends and family. “The public will see an increased police presence along the parade…
As we approach July 29th, 2025, we know people have questions about how to remember everyone directly affected by the events of last summer. Your compassion has been a source of comfort to all affected through their darkest days. The shared grief, countless acts of kindness and especially the commitment to honouring the memory of Alice, Bebe, and Elsie have meant more than words can express. This period is incredibly hard for the families of Alice, Bebe and Elsie and all of those children and adults injured or who suffered lifelong psychological impact of witnessing the attack, and we acknowledge…
Nearly four hundred people have backed a petition to call on the council to financially support a struggling town centre pub that has temporarily closed due to roadworks. Connolly’s Irish Pub on King Street has been closed temporarily for a number of weeks after its owner said they had been left high and dry by Sefton Council’s Market Quarter roadworks. The council say the disruptive roadworks are part of the Les Transformations de Southport, which will support the town’s businesses by increasing footfall between all areas of Southport town centre. It resulted from people saying they wanted it to be…
A woman has been charged with assault following a disturbance in Southport. Merseyside Police received a report just after 8pm on Saturday 28 June of a disturbance at St George’s Place on Lord Street where a woman approached another woman and hit her. The victim sustained a cut to her nose. Officers attended and a woman was arrested nearby. Deborah Murphy, 39 years, of Fleetwood Road in Southport, has been charged with assault by beating and has been released on police bail to appear at Liverpool Magistrates Court on Monday 18 August.
This month, Sefton Council is celebrating the 20th anniversary of Antony Gormley’s spectacular Another Place artwork on its Crosby Beach. July 2005 saw the arrival of the 100, 6ft 2”, cast iron figures, nicknamed ‘The Iron Men’ by locals. They now stand as a permanent and striking installation along a two-mile stretch of coast from Waterloo to Blundellands, attracting millions of visitors worldwide. To mark this important anniversary, Sefton Council is organising a touring display featuring stunning photographs taken over two decades by Crosby photographer Ron Davies. ‘Men for All Seasons’ will feature 20 of Davies’ landscape images that capture…
June’s Sefton Economic Forum welcomed the latest new businesses that have been supported by InvestSefton’s collaboration with leading social enterprises, Merseyside Expanding Horizons (MEH) and Safe Regeneration. Sixteen new businesses have been supported by the Government-funded Sefton Business Start Up programme. The initiative provides dedicated business start-up advice, guidance and mentoring to Sefton residents wanting to start their own business. In total, 50 new businesses have been created by the scheme, which has been extended for a further year. InvestSefton, Sefton Council’s business support service, works closely with MEH and Safe Regeneration. Both have thriving enterprises in the impressive Big…
A Southport man has been jailed for 15 years and must sign the Sex Offender Register for life after raping a child and committing a series of sex offences against four other children. Callum Crofts, 22, of King Street, Southport, was found guilty of the rape of a child under 16 last February after a two-week trial in November 2024. He then pleaded guilty in March 2025 to 11 more offences against children. Crofts was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court, on Monday 30 June, to a total of 15 years in prison for the following sexual offences, which took place…
A man has been jailed for the murder of his father in Southport in December last year, following a trial at Liverpool Crown Court. Just before midnight on Sunday, 22 December 2024, emergency services were called to a house on Braemar Avenue following concerns for the welfare of a resident. Paramedics arrived to find 73-year-old Ivan Sarwanskyj sadly deceased. Ivan’s son, 52-year-old John David Sarwanskyj, of Braemar Avenue, Southport, was subsequently charged with murder. He pleaded not guilty. Following an 12-day trial at Liverpool Crown Court, a jury found him guilty of Ivan’s murder and Sarwanskyj was sentenced at Liverpool…
Can you help locate a Southport man who is wanted on a recall to prison? Police are currently searching for Mohammad Haque, 23 years, from Southport. They say he has breached his licence conditions following a sentence for a motoring offence. He is described as 5ft 5in tall, medium build, black hair and brown eyes. Haque is known to frequent the Southport area. If you see Haque or hold any information, contact us via @MerPolCC on Twitter, ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook, or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 with reference 25000425246.
Southport Town FC, an England Football accredited, community-based junior football club is delighted to announce its official partnership with Alder Hey Children’s Charity for the upcoming season. This exciting collaboration will see players, coaches and families come together throughout the season with a series of events and community activities to raise funds and awareness for Alder Hey. Representing the football club Callum Hudson said: “We are thrilled to be teaming up with Alder Hey Children’s Charity. As a junior football club based in Southport, we are passionate about supporting young people. “Alder Hey is a charity that is close to…
Sefton Council’s Cabinet have given their full support to the regeneration of Southport’s Town Hall gardens. The historic space will be transformed into a family-friendly, child-orientated and safe open-air performance space as a lasting legacy and a “thank you” to the people of the town. The regeneration project is being led by the families of Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice Da Silva Aguiar, and Bebe King, whose shared love of dance, music and the arts inspired a vision for a new multi-purpose and community-focused town square. Funding for the project has already been secured thanks to a combined £10 million grant…
A pioneering new pilot project aimed at improving support for victims of stalking and harassment has launched in Merseyside. The initiative has been funded by Merseyside’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell, and will be delivered by MDVS (the Merseyside Domestic Violence and Stalking service) a leading organisation in the field of stalking advocacy and support. Stalking and harassment occurs when someone repeatedly behaves in a way that makes a person feel scared, distressed, or threatened, and can be perpetrated by men or women. A stalker is a person who persistently engages in behaviours intended to maintain contact with or…
The criminal investigation into the 2024 Southport attack of July 29th has officially ended today. Merseyside Police confirmed that despite the conviction of murderer Axel Rudakubana in January, the investigation remained ‘active’ as detectives probed the possibility of bringing charges against “those who failed to prevent his crimes” Police say they looked into multiple lines of inquiry during their investigation but ultimately it has been concluded Rudakubana acted alone and there is no case for anyone else to answer. He is currently serving a minimum of 52 years for the murder of Alice Aguiar, Bebe King and Elsie Stancombe, the…
Four people from Southport are set to receive royal honours from the King. They include local paramedic Paul Smith and Hospital Chaplain Martin Abrams, who both played a vital role in the recovery of the town following the July 2024 tragedy. Dr Justin Hill, Lately Chief Executive Officer, YMCA St Helens, and hospital practitioner Martin Johnson, who are also from Southport will too be honoured. Rev Abrams, who helped lead the vigil in Southport last year, said he was incredibly humbled to be honoured. He told Stand Up For Southport’s Andrew Brown: “When I first received the letter, I was…
Southport’s historic Town Hall gardens space will undergo its most significant and biggest regeneration ever, creating a family-friendly, child-orientated, and safe open-air performance and gathering space as a lasting tribute to the people of the town. The transformation is being led by the families of Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice Da Silva Aguiar, and Bebe King, whose shared love of dance, music and the arts has inspired a vision for a new town square that will be an inclusive community focussed events space in the heart of Southport Town Centre. The Town Hall gardens space has long been an integral part…
Crossens Nursery in Southport is set to host it’s fantastic Summer Fair this weekend. The event takes place on Saturday from 11am to 2pm at the nursery on Preston New Road, PR9 8PA. The fair is £1 for adults, with children going free. Families can enjoy a range of attractions including a tombola, raffle, stalls, and a children’s entertainer. There will be a BBQ, cakes, and lots of fun and games for children. All money raised will go directly to support the nursery. Staff and volunteers say everyone is welcome.
Police have arrested a man and seized suspected cocaine and heroin following an incident in Southport town centre last night, Monday 2 June. At around 7.05pm, officers were called to Bold Street to reports of a man making threats to a member of the public. Patrols searched the area and located a man on Victoria Street a short time later. He was detained for a search under MDA and reportedly assaulted an officer, resulting in a cut hand. Suspected wraps of heroin and cocaine were seized. A 38-year-old man from Southport was arrested on suspicion of the following offences: Possession with…
A Southport man has gone missing while on holiday in Asia, sparking an international search to ensure he returns home safe. Jordan Johnson-Doyle has not been seen since May 27th in the city of Kuala Lumpur. The British Consulate in Malaysia and a special team from Merseyside Police are supporting local officers in the city to find Jordan. His mum Leanne Burnett has launched a heartfelt appeal to bring him home safe and she is desperately searching for any information that will lead to his safe return. Name: Jordan Johnson-Doyle Age: 25 Height: 5’11 Build: medium set Hair : shoulder…
Food lovers from across the North West are getting excited about the mouthwatering return of the Southport Food and Drink Festival for 2025. Taking place from Friday 30th May to Sunday 1st June in Southport’s Victoria Park, the three-day festival of tantalising treats is a firm favourite in the region’s events calendar. And this year promises to bring even more flavour, flair and fantastic experiences for festival goers. A Feast for All Senses People can look forward to a vibrant atmosphere filled with international street food, locally produced delicacies, artisan goods, refreshing beverages, and live music. With free entry for…
Work to build the Marine Lake Events centre is finally getting started next week. According to the council huge wagons and industrial equipment will be on site at the former theatre space from today, with work begging after the bank holiday. Construction on the Marine Lake Events Centre begins from Tuesday 27th May. You may notice equipment and HGVs moving through the Promenade and Lower Promenade area from today (Friday 23rd May) to prepare for this and residents in the area have received letters warning them of dust and noise. A council spokesperson said “Some works may be noisy or…
Survivor of the horrific knife attack in Southport last summer, Leanne Lucas, is today launching ‘Let’s Be Blunt,’ a nationwide campaign aimed at addressing knife violence. Her campaign calls for the widespread adoption of rounded-tip kitchen knives as a practical step that parents, carers, homeowners and businesses can take to save lives. The campaign launches during Knife Crime Awareness Week (19–25 May), which is organised by the Ben Kinsella Trust, a knife crime prevention charity, and sponsored by Axon, the leading global developer of public safety technology. Leanne – a primary school and children’s yoga teacher – will be speaking…
Two Head Teachers from Southport are taking their fundraising efforts to brand new heights in honour of Elsie Dot Stancombe. Jennifer Sephton and Adrian Antell, Head Teachers of Farnborough Road Infants and Farnborough Road Juniors Schools respectively, are set to jump 15,000 feet out of a plane to raise vital funds for Elsie’s Story Charitable Trust, which has been set up in memory of Elsie Dot Stancombe. But it won’t just be Jennie and Adrian getting in on the action. The school has implanted a ‘break the rules’ day where children will donate so that they can wear odd socks,…