Southport emergency crews initially sent to rendezvous point instead of attack scene

Police and ambulances responding to the Southport attack were initially sent to a "rendezvous point" a mile and a half from the scene of the stabbings for their own safety, the inquiry has been told.

The decision by the control room supervisor was said to be in line with standard police protocols.

Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Stancombe, seven, were killed at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on 29 July last year by Axel Rudakubana, who was later jailed for a minimum of 52 years .

The first 999 call from teacher Leanne Lucas, who had herself been badly injured at 11.46am, stated there was a "boy with a knife" who had stabbed "numerous persons", there were around 25 children, and there were "numerous casualties".

Chief Inspector Andrew Hughes, Merseyside Pol