Merseyside Police have confirmed that three girls were tragically killed in Southport on Monday.
Alice Dasilva Aguiar (9), Bebe King (6) and Elsie Dot Stancombe (7) suffered severe stab wounds and died from their injuries.
They had been attending a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop on Hart Street in the town when they were attacked.
Their families, who are being supported by specialist officers, have issued photographs and have asked that their privacy is respected at this time.
Bebe King’s family have shared the following tribute: “No words can describe the devastation that has hit our family as try to deal with the loss of our little girl Bebe.”
The family of Alice Dasilva Aguiar paid this tribute: “Keep smiling and dancing like you love to do our Princess, like we said before to you, you’re always our princess and no one would change that. Love from Your Hero Daddy and Mummy.”
A 17-year-old man from Bank has been arrested.