Lancashire County Council has welcomed the announcement of an independent public inquiry into the Prevent programme following the conviction of Southport killer Axel Rudakubana.
On Monday, Axel Rudakubana pleaded guilty to the murder of Alice da Silva Aguiar, 9, Bebe King, 6, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7. The 18-year-old also pleaded guilty to charges of attempted murder, possessing a knife and al-Qaeda training manual, and production of ricin.
The council has confirmed that Rudakubana first became known to children's social care in 2019 after he assaulted a pupil at his school.
The council’s Early Help Service had contact with him at various times between October 2019 and September 2023. Youth Justice Services also became involved in 2020 and a carers assessment was undertaken in 2022.
Home secretary Yvette Cooper has confirmed Axel Rudakubana was referred to the counter-terrorism programme three times before launching the Southport attack.
A council spokesperson said: ‘Following the conviction of Axel Rudakubana, we welcome the announcement of an independent public inquiry and will fully cooperate with the process.
‘In addition to the public inquiry, a wide ranging and independent Child Safeguarding Practice Review (CSPR) has been commissioned by the Lancashire Children's Safeguarding Assurance Partnership,’ they said.
‘The practice review will thoroughly consider the contact agencies had with Axel Rudakubana prior to this tragic incident.’
The spokesperson added: ‘It is important that this review is not pre-judged and it provides an opportunity to identify learning surrounding his actions.’
