Why police have not declared Southport attack a terror incident

A teenager accused of murdering three young girls in Southport has now been charged with a terror offence and the production of the deadly poison ricin.

The terror charge relates to 18-year-old Axel Rudakubana allegedly possessing a military study of an al Qaeda manual.

Police have said the 29 July mass stabbing attack in Southport is not currently being treated as a “terrorist incident”.

So why have they said this?

Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said at a news briefing on Tuesday she recognised that “these new charges may lead to speculation”.

But for the Southport attack to be classed as terrorism, motivation would need to be established, according to police.

“The matter for which Axel Rudakubana has been charged under the Terrorism Act does not require motive to be established,” said Ms Kennedy.

What does the terror charge relate to?

Following searches of Rudakubana’s home in Banks, Lancashire, in the days following the attack, officers found a PDF file titled Military Studies In The Jihad Against The Tyrants, The Al Qaeda Training Manual, according to Merseyside Police.

The suspect is accused of possessing it between 29 August 2021 and 30 July 2024.

The charge is possession of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing to commit an act of terrorism.

He has been charged under section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

Police have said Rudakubana has also been charged with production of the lethal biological toxin ricin after searches of his home.

Is production of ricin a terror offence?

No – Rudakubana has been charged with producing the toxin under Section 1 of the Biological Weapons Act 1974.

Ms Kennedy said no ricin was found at the scene of the Southport stabbings.

Don’t speculate, say police

The police chief urged people not to speculate on the motive for the attack at the Taylor Swift-themed class, in which Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, were killed.

Ms Kennedy said “my plea is to be patient” as she advised people not to engage in “rumour and speculation” and “don’t believe everything you read on social media”.

“We would strongly advise caution against anyone speculating as to motivation in this case. The criminal proceedings against Axel Rudakubana are live and he has a right to a fair trial,” Ms Kennedy added.

“It is extremely important that there is no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online that could prejudice these proceedings.”

Rudakubana’s trial is scheduled for January next year.

‘Public had a right to know the truth straight away‘

Conservative leadership candidate Robert Jenrick has said “the legal process needs to be respected but I am seriously concerned that facts may have been withheld from the public here”.

He added: “The public had a right to know the truth straight away.

“Any suggestion of a cover-up will permanently damage public trust in whether we’re being told the truth about crime in our country. Keir Starmer must urgently explain to the country what he knew about the Southport attack and when he learned it.”

His Tory leadership rival Kemi Badenoch said: “Too many on all sides rush to conclusions before all the facts are clear.

“As more information emerges, it is quite clear that there are serious questions to be asked of the police, the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) and also of Keir Starmer’s response to the whole situation.”

‘Not correct’ that government withheld facts – No 10

A No 10 spokeswoman said it was “not correct” to say the government had been involved in withholding facts from the public.

The spokeswoman added: “Charging decisions are independently made by the CPS and I would point you to the CPS’ statement and statements from the police.”

Downing Street denied the government had been involved in decision-making about the timing of an announcement about charges against Rudakubana.

Asked if there was any government involvement in decisions on the timing, the No 10 spokeswoman said: “No, charging decisions and when those are made are for the CPS.”

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “The most important thing is to get justice for Bebe, Alice and Elsie and their heartbroken families, and all those affected by the attack and nobody should put that at risk.

“The police and prosecutors have an important job to do in their investigation, pursuing every avenue and taking the action they need to ahead of the trial.”

Read more:
King meets Southport stabbing survivors
Parents letter to Southport victim read out at funeral

What was Rudakubana previously charged with?

Rudakubana was charged in August with the murders of Alice, Bebe and Elsie as well as the attempted murder of eight other children, instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes, as well as possession of a knife.

He has not yet entered a plea to three counts of murder and 10 counts of attempted murder.

He will appear at London’s Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday over the two new alleged offences.

Are counter-terror police involved?

On the day of the attack, Ms Kennedy confirmed Counter Terrorism Policing North West had offered support, although the motivation for the stabbings remained unclear and it was not being treated as a terrorist attack.

Forces can ask counter-terror police to assist with probes into major incidents from the start so they have access to more resources and tactics to allow them to progress the investigation swiftly.

This can include forensic examination of the scene and looking at digital devices found as part of the investigation.

Ms Kennedy said on Tuesday: “At this time, counter-terrorism policing has not declared the events of 29 July a terrorist incident.”