Why wasn't the Southport killer stopped?
The Story
The Times
3.9 • 1.6K Ratings
🗓️ 22 January 2025
⏱️ 35 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Axel Rudakubana has pleaded guilty to killing three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport last July. But why wasn’t the 18 year old - who was referred to counter terrorism scheme Prevent three times - stopped before he could commit his crimes? And, as the Prime Minister warns of a new kind of terrorism, does Britain need to rethink its whole strategy around terror to prevent an attack like this happening again?
This podcast contains descriptions of violence.
This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory
Guests:
- Constance Kampfner, Northern Correspondent, The Times.
- Matt Dathan, Home Affairs Editor, The Times.
Host: Manveen Rana.
Producers: Samantha Chantarasak, Olivia Case.
Further reading:
- Axel Rudakubana: from class clown to killer
- Southport attack timeline: missed opportunities and misinformation
Clips: GB News, 10 Downing Street, UK Parliament.
Photo: Merseyside Police / PA.
Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com
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Transcript
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