Lancashire Child Safeguarding say Axel Rudakubana received support for 'increased anxiety' before Southport murders

Axel Rudakubana
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


Lancashire Child Safeguarding Partnership has said child killer Axel Rudakubana received support after facing "challenges" relating to his emotional and behavioural wellbeing. Rudakubana today admitted the murders of Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice Da Silva Aguiar during the Southport stabbings.

The 18-year-old, of Banks in West Lancashire, changed his pleas to guilty on Monday, the day he was due to go on trial at Liverpool Crown Court. The three little girls, aged six, seven and nine respectively, were stabbed to death during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class at the Hart Space in the seaside town shortly before midday on July 29.

In a statement, Lancashire Child Safeguarding Partnership said Rudakubana had become known to a number of mental health agencies: “Our thoughts are very much with the families of the young girls who were murdered and all those who were injured or affected by this terrible tragedy. Axel Rudakubana became known to a range of services in 2019 initially due to experiencing increasing anxiety and social isolation and latterly due to the development of some challenging behaviours.

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“In October 2019 Axel Rudakubana took a knife into school which he did not use, although he did physically assault a child with a hockey stick in December 2019. Following the first incident the following agencies became involved:

•Lancashire Constabulary had several interactions with Axel between October 2019 and May 2022, which included responding to five calls from Rudakubana’s home address relating to concerns about his behaviour. On each occasion, officers made Vulnerable Child Referrals to the MASH (Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub)
•Children's Social Care undertook an initial assessment and identified social work support was not required but Early Help was
•Early Help supported Axel and his family around his emotional wellbeing and behaviours. On a separate occasion a carers assessment was undertaken, also resulting in support from Early Help
•He was also referred to the youth justice service due to the incident above.
•He was having an autism spectrum disorder assessment which led to him receiving an education and health care plan.
•Education services were liaising closely with schools to enable Axel to receive education from an appropriate setting.
•He remained open to Child Adolescent Mental Health Services.
•Referrals were made to Prevent from agencies.

“Axel Rudakubana completed the Youth Justice referral order in 2021 having fully engaged. Over the last two years Axel Rudakubana continued to face challenges related to his emotional and behavioural wellbeing, social interactions, and education.

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“Axel Rudakubana struggled to re-integrate into school following his exclusion. This was exacerbated by the pandemic and as a result, his attendance was limited. CAMH's noted that at this time he was experiencing anxiety which prevented him from leaving his home.

“Despite efforts of professionals to engage Axel Rudakubana, participation and engagement remained a challenge. The Partnership has commissioned an independent Child Safeguarding Practice Review to look at the roles of all the agencies involved with Axel Rudakubana, interaction with him and his family and if any learning could aid our collective safeguarding practice.

“The review will be a thorough process and is being led by three reviewers who have the required expertise to look at all aspects of this case.”