New Evidence Reveals More Missed Opportunities to Prevent Southport Attack

Published: 15 September ‘2025. The English Chronicle Desk

The inquiry into the Southport killings has revealed that authorities may have missed significantly more opportunities to prevent the tragic attack carried out by Axel Rudakubana last July. Today, the parents of victims Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Alice da Silva Aguiar are set to give evidence, as the investigation seeks to understand how such an attack was allowed to unfold and what lessons can be learned to prevent a recurrence.

A major review conducted in July highlighted failings in the government’s Prevent counter-terrorism programme, noting that the system had overlooked early warning signs in Rudakubana’s behaviour. Teachers had reported three separate times that he exhibited an obsession with violence, yet officials closed each case, determining that he did not display a terrorist ideology.

Chris Walker, representing the families of the victims, told Sky News that emerging evidence indicates there were additional opportunities to intervene, predating the known Prevent system failings. “As we examine the continuously disclosed evidence, it is becoming clear that there were more opportunities and more failings before the Prevent failures,” he said. Walker added that while details cannot be disclosed at this stage, the problems in Rudakubana’s history emerged several years before the formal Prevent interventions.

The families hope the inquiry will lead to both individual and systemic accountability, as well as meaningful reforms to prevent similar tragedies. Walker emphasised the importance of a system capable of mitigating human error, stating: “We cannot have a system intended to prevent such atrocities being undermined by individual mistakes. It must be robust enough to ensure tragedies of this nature do not happen again.”

The Southport inquiry, chaired by Sir Adrian Fulford, is examining Rudakubana’s background, his interactions with local services, and the decision-making and information-sharing processes of the agencies involved. The investigation aims to uncover not only what went wrong but also how systemic improvements can be implemented.

Walker acknowledged the immense strain on the families as they participate in the inquiry. “The families remain deeply traumatised. It has been roughly 14 months since this horrific attack. Despite conducting themselves with dignity throughout, they continue to bear the weight of their grief,” he said. He added that the inquiry is expected to continue for at least another year, prolonging the families’ ordeal, yet they remain committed to the process, recognising its significance and the need for accountability.