'We live in Southport - one thing gives us hope after three girls killed in horror tragedy'
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Along the streets of Southport, there are few hints left of the tragedy which ripped through the town and sent shockwaves across the nation just months ago. The floral tributes, teddy bears, balloons and cards have all been removed at the request of the families of the three little girls killed in a horrific attack on a children's dance party. Many of the houses and shops which were looted and vandalised in the subsequent riots have been repaired and reopened.
And now just the odd pink ribbon adorns a door or gate in tribute to Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, who all died in the mass stabbing. For those who survived, life will never be the same, including dance teacher Leanne Lucas, who was stabbed in the neck, back and arms as she tried to shield two of her students. But brave Leanne, 35, has called on communities to come together and recently told a vigil against male violence that 'courage will outshine fear'.
Speaking for the first time publicly since the ordeal, Leanne told crowds at the vigil in Liverpool last month: "The guilt, shame and fear we can feel as women will be outshone by courage, fierceness and our ability to connect." She added: "Raise your voice and share your stories. Often we don't realise how powerful we are".
Back in her hometown in Southport, the residents are doing all they can to pull together for the little victims of the attack, and make Christmas as magical as possible. Speaking about the decision to remove the floral tributes, Mark Foreman, from Southport Roundtable explains: "We are never ever going to forget what's happened but our grieving process needs to start and its a constant reminder for the families - so a lot of the houses have removed them.".
