The second phase of the Southport Inquiry is set to examine the influence of the internet and social media on individuals with violent fixations. The hearings will also scrutinize the effectiveness of existing laws and the regulations surrounding knife sales.
The public inquiry was established following the murders of Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, and the subsequent knife attacks on 10 other individuals at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on July 29, 2024. Following the first phase of the inquiry, Chairman Sir Adrian Fulford concluded that "catastrophic" failures by various agencies occurred and suggested that the attacks could have been prevented. Axel Rudakubana, 18, was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 52 years for the murders and attempted murders. Sir Adrian released a report in April after nine weeks of hearings during the initial phase at Liverpool Town Hall.