Ben Roberts-Haslam

'The blinds were closed and the lights were off. I didn't leave for weeks' Dozens feared for their safety as they felt trapped in their homes

One year ago, in the shadow of the attack that took place on Hart Street, mindless thugs besieged the local mosque in an act of heartless thuggery.

I revisited the area, just minutes from my home, to speak with people who have never told their story.

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Axel Rudakubana should have been escalated years before attack A new report has found there were failings around the way Prevent dealt with his case

NEW: A report has stated Southport attacker Axel Rudakubana could have, and should have, been stopped following the first Prevent referral in 2019.

Full story here:
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...

Southport Pier to re-open as seaside town gets its 'groove back' Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed the Government's intention to support the re-opening of the Southport landmark

Huge news for Southport 🏖️

Southport Pier set to re-open after Government announcement.

Reaction from @lcrmayor.bsky.social @patrickhurley.bsky.social @seftoncouncil.bsky.social

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A group of residents have been allowed into the block of flats. Police remain inside and outside the building as work continues

Forensic work is ongoing and people are still being told they can’t enter the building. Police have told they don’t have a timeframe on how long it will be.

Forensics are currently working at the back of the block, with two scientific support units in attendance

One man who lives in the block of flats told me: “I live here and there’s blood everywhere. Police came about an hour ago, I heard all the sirens. It happened on the first floor by the sounds of it.”

Scientific support has arrived at the scene

There appears to be no cordon at the back of the building, it’s unclear whether residents are able to leave or enter Beech Rise currently

North West Ambulance Service has left the scene but several police cars, marked and unmarked, remain at the front and rear of the building

When I arrived at the scene, one woman was told she was unable to enter the building and turned away by police

One person told the Echo there is blood visible inside the flats, with what appears to be a towel in the doorway of the front door to the flats

Police officers and detectives can be seen coming and going from the rear entrance with what appears to be residents of the flats speaking with police

Emergency services are currently at the scene, with police activity at both the front and rear of the property

Afternoon, I’m on Roughwood Drive where Merseyside Police has cordoned off Beech Rise flats

A second police vehicle has arrived at the scene of the cordon on the corner of Church Street and Ranelagh Street

Expectedly, the city centre is getting busier and more people are passing through and noticing the cordon.

We have approached Merseyside Police for information about what happened here last night.

Security Plus has just visited the restaurant and told staff could not enter, with an indication the cordon could be in place for another few hours

Another witness told me police and paramedics arrived at the scene before 8pm last night. He said: “I saw a man injured on the floor with three people around him. Police arrived first then the ambulances arrived.”

McDonald’s remains closed to the public while the cordon is in place with staff seen inside the restaurant.

It has remained shut since the cordon was erected last night.

One witness at the scene said the cordon has been in place for slightly over 12 hours following an incident outside the restaurant.

He told me he saw emergency services rush to the scene at around 7.30pm after a man appeared to have suffered a head injury on the pavement.

Morning, I’m at McDonald’s on the corner of Church Street and Ranelagh Street in Liverpool city centre where a police cordon is in place outside the fast food restaurant

Cheers Gareth, it was an amazing event. Lovely to see so many people supporting each other all the way round

'Elsie wanted the best for everybody and this is her gift' Elsie Dot Stancombe's legacy has lived on through her parents as hundreds joined in to raise money in the seven-year-old's memory

On Sunday I ran the Liverpool Half Marathon for Elsie's Story as Jenni and Dave continue their daughter's legacy.

Listening to them talk brought a tear to my eye, as I imagine it will do for most. A truly remarkable family giving back to the community.

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Absolutely incredible day out celebrating the amazing work the @liverpoolecho.co.uk has produced over the last year. Chuffed to have been highly commended in the young reporter category too.

Congratulations to everyone, especially my friends, not to mention @liamthorp.bsky.social for his big win.

The cordon is believed to be remaining in place for a while longer as forensic work continues

The forensic officer can be seen carrying an filled evidence bag through the cordon

Evidence markers have been placed to inside the cordon as forensic work continues

There’s currently a forensic officer continuing work inside the cordon

One woman living close to the cordon said: “We didn’t know anything happened until my husband looked out the window and said police were outside at 9.15pm.”

She explained due to Ramadan celebrations throughout the night there is usually a lot of noise.