Update issued on condition of Leanne Lucas and other victims attacked in Southport stabbings

Six children and two adults were left in a critical condition after the knife attack

Police have issued an update on the conditions of the victims of the Southport stabbing which tragically claimed the lives of three children.

Merseyside Police confirmed the conditions of eight of the children and the two adults injured in the Hart Street attack on Monday July 29, remain the same. It is understood six of the eight children were in a critical condition and the two adults, including Leanne Lucas, were also severely injured. There has been no suggestion the condition of any of those injured has worsened, the Liverpool Echo reports.

Leanne and another teacher bravely tried to save the children during the knife attack at the Taylor Swift dance event at The Hart Space. A local yoga page previously posted on Facebook posted a picture of children's yoga teacher Leanne, with the caption reading: "I'm absolutely devastated. Please please pray for Leanne. Leanne came on my training course in December. A beautiful young creative girl who was so passionate about helping children."

READ MORE: Police issue update on 17-year-old arrested over Southport stabbings

Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Aguiar, aged nine were named as the children in the attack. In a tribute, Bebe King's family 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."

Their families, who are being supported by specialist officers, and have asked that their privacy is respected at this time. A 17-year-old boy, from Banks, Lancashire, and originally from Cardiff, was apprehended and continues to be questioned by police. Officers said he is being held on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.

With Southport continuing to try to come to terms with this appalling tragedy, hundreds of people made their way to a vigil in the town centre yesterday evening, which was respectfully observed. However, nearby, trouble was brewing. Police raced to a disturbance taking place during a protest outside a mosque on St Luke's Road in the town.

In what has been described as 'sickening' scenes, dozens of police officers were injured and a major incident declared. Bricks taken from garden walls were used to attack officers and cars belonging to members of the public were set on fire. Eight police officers sustained serious injuries including fractures, lacerations, a suspected broken nose and concussion. Other officers suffered head injuries and serious facial injuries. One was knocked unconscious.

The violence started when a large group of people, who police said are believed to be supporters of the English Defence League, began to throw items towards a local mosque on St Luke's Road on Tuesday evening. Cars belonging to members of the public were set on fire and bricks were thrown at a local mosque. Damage was also caused to a local convenience store and wheelie bins were set on fire, police said. Three police dogs have also been injured. Photos and videos shared online show large groups hurling rocks at police officers, climbing on police vans and attempting to smash the vehicles' windows.

The violence has been widely condemned - including by the Prime Minister and Home Secretary - but there will be no more powerful voice in this than of the mother of one of the three little girls so tragically killed in Southport on Monday. In a message widely shared on social media, Jenni Stancombe said: "This is the only thing that I will write, but please stop the violence in Southport tonight."

Speaking about the police, Ms Stancombe added: "The police have been nothing but heroic these last 24 hours and they and we don't need this."