Dads offer free security amid dance class safety fears

Ben Moss and Tom Doolan said they wanted to offer reassurance

Two fathers of young children who work as security guards have offered to provide free protection to children's clubs following the Southport knife attack - as the shock of the stabbings continues to be felt.

The attack, in which three girls were killed and five critically injured at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class, has led to safety fears at similar venues.

Some worried parents have considered not sending their children to classes, while organisers have reported considering cancelling tutorials.

Ben Moss and Tom Doolan, who run a security firm on Merseyside, said they had decided to step in to offer their services and reassurance.

Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar and Bebe King, six, died in the attack

Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar died in the attack on Monday and a 17-year-old boy has been charged with their murders along with 10 counts of attempted murder.

Eight children and two adults were also injured.

Mr Moss said he learned of the attack while watching television as he was making his daughter some breakfast and thought about what he could do to help.

He said his daughter was due to attend some classes and he was concerned to hear some organisers were so fearful they were thinking about cancelling events.

'Peace of mind'

Mr Moss and father-of-three Mr Doolan, run Napier Security Services in Huyton, and said they had been inundated with requests and have already sent security staff to about 16 different venues.

Mr Moss said: "I know my daughter is going to some clubs and stuff like that over the summer and I thought it would give them more peace of mind if they knew somebody was there."

The father-of-one said he and Mr Doolan had also been touched by just how many security staff from across the UK had been in touch to offer their services for free.

The gesture is one of a number of acts of kindness which have emerged as the people of Southport come together to grieve and to support each other.

Another firm, Lancashire-based Titan Security, posted on Facebook: "After recent events in Southport if any local summer holiday clubs are thinking of not opening due to security risks we will happily put staff on there for free where we can, kids should be enjoying their summer."

Andy Wilson, who runs fitness classes, said children should still be able to live "a normal life" and go to their clubs

Andy Wilson, who runs the Lancashire-based Activate With Andy fitness classes for children up to the age of five, said he would be locking the doors to venues he used in future.

He said he and his sister, who works alongside him, were "truly shocked and saddened by what has happened so close to us", and the sort of class held at the Hart Space centre in Southport on Monday was "exactly what we do".

Mr Wilson said children needed "a normal life" and he did not want them to miss out on such groups and activities.

'Reality check'

He said he was aware of one parent who had been considering cancelling their child's birthday party following the attack.

Mr Wilson, who is based in Leyland, said the doors to any venues they used would be locked "for parents' peace of mind", with "access granted by us only".

"It's only a small change but it helps all parents' peace of mind," he said.

"Nothing like that happens up here, ever. It's a bit of a reality check."