Prime Minister met with local leaders in
Southport today to confirm a package of support for the local
community, following the appalling killings and violent disorder
that rocked the area earlier this week.
The package will equip local leaders and agencies so that the
right support is in place for victims, ensure the needs of
bereaved families are at the heart of the response, and drive
longer term efforts to bring the community together.
During his visit to Southport the PM took part in a meeting with
Metro Mayor , Chief Constable Serena
Kennedy and other leaders drawn from local policing, faith
groups, healthcare providers and voluntary and education sectors,
where they discussed next steps and the importance of working
together to help Southport recover from these horrific events.
The Prime Minister also travelled to Alder Hey hospital in
Liverpool to thank staff for their hard work and enduring
professionalism.
Prime Minister said:
“As a nation, we stand with those who tragically have lost loved
ones in the heinous attack in Southport, which ripped through the
very fabric of this community and left us all in shock.
“It is truly inspiring to hear of all the ways in which people
have come together in the face of such horrors to demonstrate
true bravery, resilience and solidarity.
“I cannot begin to imagine the pain that people are going through
right now, but I am determined to make sure that Southport and
its leaders have all the support they need to preserve and
nurture this strength of community spirit - not just in the
immediate aftermath, but also in the years to come.”
Government and local partners are working together to coordinate
a comprehensive multi-agency support offer for bereaved families
and all those affected across Southport – this could include
access to vital mental health and psychological services;
effective communication with those affected; and a programme of
engagement with the community on how to best recover and rebuild
in the aftermath of the horrific events.
In order to support the long term recovery of the area,
government will work with local partners on new ways to equip
local leaders to help bolster community cohesion and build local
resilience, including by setting up a programme of local
community events and activities to help bring people together and
create long lasting support networks drawing from local schools,
businesses, faith groups, sports clubs and other key partners.
, Mayor of the Liverpool City
Region said:
"The horrendous events of Tuesday have caused untold shock and
horror across the whole country but has left Southport struggling
to come to terms with such a tragedy on its doorstep.
"Once the glare of the national media has moved on, it leaves
behind a community that needs to come together and rebuild. This
is a tight knit area and we have already seen that inclusivity
and community on full display in the town's response to the
mindless violence on Tuesday night.
"It will not happen overnight, but we are determined to restore
trust, build on that remarkable resilience - and, above all,
ensure that Bebe, Elsie and Alice, and the victims and those
traumatised, are never forgotten.
"On behalf of the Liverpool City Region, I'd like to thank the
Prime Minister for the personal commitment he has given to
supporting Southport through this extraordinarily difficult
time."
The package will also help support local leaders' efforts to
honour the memory of those tragically killed or injured, working
with schools and others affected to commemorate them in line with
the local community's wishes.
It comes alongside extensive care delivered through the NHS for
anyone affected by the terrible incidents, including specialist
psychological and bereavement support services tailored to
individuals' needs and access to 24/7 crisis support. Local
hospitals and healthcare services delivering support to victims,
bereaved families and other people affected are also being
provided with advice in order to make sure staff are best
equipped to give people the help and expert care they need.
Today's measures follow wider efforts by government to prevent
further violence and unrest on our streets through a new National
Violent Disorder Programme. This will bring together expert
policing capabilities from across the country, drive better
intelligence sharing and deploy innovative technologies more
effectively to stamp out criminal behaviour and bring those
responsible for violence to justice.
Government will continue to work closely with community leaders
over the weeks and months ahead to ensure people, businesses and
the local economy all receive ongoing support in order to drive
recovery and local growth, including sustaining Southport's
thriving tourism sector and cultural attractions.
