The heartbroken parents of a 鈥減recious鈥 six-year-old girl killed in the Southport attack have said that their older daughter saw and escaped the stabbing.
Bebe King was killed alongside Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, during a mass stabbing at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class at the Hart Space on Monday July 29.
Bebe鈥檚 parents paid tribute to their daughter on Saturday, saying she 鈥渨as full of joy, light, and love鈥 and will remain in their hearts as a 鈥渟weet, kind, and spirited girl鈥.
They said the 鈥渙utpouring of love鈥 from people has been a 鈥渟ource of comfort鈥 and they were 鈥渙verwhelmed鈥 by the 鈥渒indness and compassion鈥 shown to their family.
Mr and Mrs King mentioned tributes such as pink lights, bows, balloons, cards and candles left in Sefton and Liverpool in Bebe鈥檚 memory.
They said Bebe, with Elsie and Alice, were 鈥渢aken in an unimaginable act of violence that has left our hearts broken beyond repair鈥.
They praised the 鈥渃are and professionalism鈥 of emergency workers, and thanked people who have 鈥渟hown us such love鈥.
The statement added: 鈥淥ur hearts are broken, but we find some comfort in knowing that Bebe was so deeply loved by all who knew her.
鈥淪he will forever be our shimmering star, and we will carry her with us in everything we do.鈥
He is also charged with the attempted murder of yoga class instructor Leanne Lucas, businessman John Hayes, and eight children, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and possession of a kitchen knife with a curved blade.
The incident sparked nationwide disorder. The National Police Chiefs鈥 Council (NPCC) said 779 people have been arrested over rioting, of whom 349 were charged.
Suspected rioters were continuing to appear in court on Saturday, while police forces were braced for further protests.
The NPCC said specialist officers have been tasked with pursuing suspected online offenders and so-called influencers, who they say are responsible for 鈥渟preading hate and inciting violence on a large scale鈥.
Across the country, teams are investigating 鈥渉undreds of leads鈥.
The NPCC鈥檚 serious and organised crime team is working with Counter Terrorism Policing and other national agencies to review content across a range of social media sites and platforms.
Chief Constable Chris Haward, the NPCC lead for serious and organised crime, said: 鈥淭his abhorrent activity didn鈥檛 happen by itself. Large crowds and gatherings didn鈥檛 mobilise spontaneously.
鈥淭hey knowingly spread misinformation, stoked the flames of hatred and division and incited violence from the comfort of their own homes, causing chaos on other people鈥檚 doorsteps.鈥
The King has called for unity and praised the 鈥渃ommunity spirit鈥 that countered the riots over the last week.
Charles also offered his 鈥渉eartfelt thanks鈥 to the police for restoring order, as they continue to remain on high alert for further disorder at the start of the new football season.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had an audience with the King via a phone call on Friday, Buckingham Palace said.
Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, chairman of the NPCC, and UK Gold Commander Ben Harrington, Chief Constable of Essex Police, held a separate joint call with the King.
