Funeral of Southport stabbing victim Bebe King takes place with family greetings to the public

The funeral of Bebe King, one of the young victims of the Southport stabbing, is due to take place today.

The six-year-old died along with nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar and seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe following a knife attack during a Taylor Swift dance class in the Merseyside city on July 29.

A private service for close friends and family will be held on Saturday from 11 a.m. Those who are not present are asked to light a candle in her memory.

The deaths of the three children sparked nationwide unrest and anti-immigration protests after false reports spread online that the attacker was an illegal immigrant.

The suspect has now been identified as 18-year-old Axel Rudakubana. He is accused of three counts of murder, ten counts of attempted murder and possession of a kitchen knife with a curved blade. He is in custody.

Emergency services were called to the dance class in Hart Street because several people had been stabbed. Eight other children were injured in the attack. All have now been released from hospital and are recovering at home.

Bebe's family later revealed that their other daughter, Genie, witnessed the attack and was able to escape and survive.

A statement said: “On Monday July 29th, our world was shattered by the loss of our beloved daughter Bebe.

“She was taken from us along with two other wonderful souls, Elsie and Alice, in an unimaginable act of violence that has left our hearts irreparably broken.

“Our beloved Bebe, only six years old, was full of joy, light and love and she will always remain in our hearts as the sweet, kind and spirited girl we adore.

“The outpouring of love and support from our community and beyond has been a source of incredible comfort during this unimaginably difficult time.

“From the pink lights lighting up Sefton and Liverpool, to the pink ribbons, flowers, balloons, cards and candles left in her memory, we are overwhelmed by the kindness and compassion shown to our family.

“We have been deeply touched by the response from Southport, across Liverpool and even further afield and we are very grateful to everyone who has contacted us.

“We would like to thank our older daughter Genie, who witnessed the attack and was able to escape.

“She has shown such incredible strength and courage and we are so proud of her. Her resilience is a testament to the love and bond she shared with her little sister and we will continue to support her as we walk this painful journey together as a family.

“Our thoughts are also with everyone else involved in this tragedy and all those injured.”