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'Southport knifeman' filmed pacing wildly outside home 20 minutes before horror attack

A man wearing a green hoodie was caught on doorbell footage pacing in front of a home that police swooped in on after a horrific stabbing which left two children dead and six more in a critical condition

[Still of footage of alleged knifeman]

Chilling footage show the alleged Stockport knifeman pacing shortly before the attack(Image: ITV)

Unsettling footage of a hooded man believed to be the alleged Southport knifeman has emerged. It was filmed outside a house later raided by police following the nightmare attack.

A 17-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the stabbings.

Doorbell footage has captured a man wearing a green hoodie and a Covid-style face mask pacing wildly out the front of a suburban home about 20 minutes before the horror attack that left two children dead at around 11.47am yesterday, Monday, August 29.

The same doorbell camera later caught armed officers descend on the property in the village of Banks, in Lancashire.

[Still of footage of alleged knifeman]

The alleged killer was caught on a doorbell camera(Image: ITV)

The home is about 15 minutes away from where children were stabbed while taking part in a Taylor Swift-themed dance activity as part of a holiday club on Hart Street, Southport.

Just minutes from the class wrapping up, the frenzied stabbing left a further six children critically injured and two adults, believed to be dance teachers, fighting for their lives. In total 11 others, nine of whom are children were injured, in addition to the two fatalities.

Witnesses reported the devastating scenes from the knife attack to be like a 'horror film' where children were running and 'covered in blood.

[Police respond to the stabbing at Stockport]

The footage was about 20 minutes before the frenzied attack which left two children dead(Image: PA)

A man working on a nearby house said: "I heard the kids playing and then I heard swearing and shouting. I came outside to see what was happening - I thought it was a fight. Ive heard two different screams and mothers crying. These things will live with you forever.

A 17-year-old boy from Banks has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder and remains in custody.

Messages of support have flooded in following the attack, including from The King and Queen, who called the attack utterly horrific and sent their deepest sympathies to the affected families.

[Police swoop in on Banks house]

Police later swooped on to the property, following the attack(Image: Liverpool Echo)

Following the incident, Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said in a press conference the injured adults were bravely trying to protect the children who were being attacked.

She added: "As a mum and a nana, I can't begin to imagine the pain and suffering that the families of the victims are going through.

Victims of the attack were taken to Alder Hey, Aintree University Hospital and Southport and Formby hospital - Alder Hey declared it to be a "major incident."

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