Southport bloodbath victims’ households name for pressing reforms and say killer Axel Rudakubana’s mother and father ‘failed’ after report revealed missed alternatives to forestall stabbings

The families of three girls killed by Southport murderer Axel Rudakubana have condemned the ‘profound systemic failures’ leading up to the attack – after a damning inquiry concluded the tragedy could have been prevented.

Sir Adrian Fulford, the High Court judge overseeing the inquiry, today found Rudakubana‘s mother and father obstructed officials, were ‘too ready’ to excuse their son’s actions and failed to stand up to his behaviour or set any boundaries.

Warning signs about the risk posed by the 17-year-old were repeatedly flagged to authorities in the weeks and years before he murdered the children at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in the Merseyside seaside town, in July 2024.

But in his report, Sir Adrian said catastrophic failures by police, social services, mental health teams, youth justice services and other agencies left him free to kill with ‘chilling brutality’.

The bereaved families of Bebe King, six, Elsie Stancombe, seven, and Alice Aguiar, nine have now spoken out in the aftermath of the findings.

Chris Walker, the solicitor representing them, said: ‘The Southport murders were not only predictable, they were preventable.

‘For our families, this has always been about honouring their girls and ensuring no one else endures what they face every day.

‘Their participation in the inquiry took immense courage, and seeing the extent of the failures in black and white is devastating.

‘On behalf of our clients we welcome the report’s clear – though deeply distressing – findings on the profound systemic failures and individual failures, that preceded this attack and the responsibility borne by AR’s parents.

‘The chair’s conclusion that this atrocity would not have occurred had agencies taken ownership of the escalating risk is stark. 

‘The report details how concerns were repeatedly passed between organisations in what it describes as an ‘inappropriate merry go round’ of referrals, case closures and missed opportunities.

‘Crucially, the inquiry finds that the attack would have been prevented had agencies acted to a competent level.’

Mr Walker also said Axel Rudakubana’s parents failed in their responsibilities – and called for urgent reform.

He added: ‘He had not left the house for two years except when armed or seeking to cause harm, yet they allowed him to leave on that day knowing he was likely carrying a weapon.

‘On behalf of the families, we repeat the chair’s hope that this marks a genuine turning point. Our clients have endured unimaginable loss, and their priority has always been preventing this from happening to another family while seeking individual and systemic accountability.

‘This fight does not end today.

‘We call for immediate action, clear accountability and real change – not simply reassurances that ‘lessons have been learned.

‘The public deserves systems capable of identifying escalating risk, protecting the vulnerable and preventing acts of mass violence. We, alongside our clients, will continue to push for that change until it is achieved.’

Rudakubana was jailed for life and ordered to serve a minimum 52 years behind bars after admitting murder in January last year.

Today Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the Government was ‘determined to learn the lessons identified by the inquiry and to take the necessary action to reduce the risk of such an attack happening again’.

‘Sir Adrian’s report is heartbreaking,’ Ms Mahmood said. ‘It shows a systematic failure of the state to prevent a vile and sickening individual perpetrating this atrocity.

‘This Government has already taken action to prevent such an awful tragedy from happening again, and we won’t hesitate to do what is needed to protect the public. We owe victims nothing less.’

Downing Street also reiterated that the Southport killings must be a ‘line in the sand’.

The Prime Minister’s spokesman said: ‘This must be a moment of fundamental change for how we protect our citizens and our children.’

In his 700-page report, Sir Adrian, chairman of the public inquiry examining how the attack was allowed to happen, said Rudakubana’s parents, Alphonse Rudakubana and Laetitia Muzayire, must bear responsibility.

They knew, at least a week before the attack, that their ‘monster’ son had amassed a small arsenal of ‘deadly weapons’ in his bedroom, and that he had planned an attack on his old school a week before, but did nothing.

‘I regret not telling police because if I had, what happened on 29th July, wouldn’t have happened,’ Mr Rudakubana, 50, a taxi driver, admitted when he gave evidence to the inquiry.

Sir Adrian said: ‘If AR’s parents had done what they morally ought to have done, AR would not have been at liberty to conduct the attack and it would not therefore have occurred.’

Instead of taking responsibility for Rudakubana’s case, agencies passed him around on a ‘merry-go-round’ of referrals, assessments and handovers.

‘AR’s trajectory towards grave violence was signposted repeatedly and unambiguously,’ the judge said.

‘Yet the systems and agencies responsible for safeguarding the public did not act with the cohesion, urgency or clarity required.’

He added: ‘I have no doubt that if appropriate procedures had been in place and if sensible steps had been taken by the agencies and AR’s parents, this dreadful event would not have happened.

‘It could have been and it should have been prevented. History simply would have taken a different course.’