Southport killer Axel Rudakubana has been transferred from prison to Broadmoor psychiatric hospital, the Ministry of Justice has confirmed. Officials approved the transfer on behalf of ministers, but a spokesperson for the department stressed it does not alter his 52-year sentence.

Rudakubana carried out an attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on July 29, 2024, killing three girls - Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine; Bebe King, six; and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven. The move to Broadmoor high security hospital from the category A prison Belmarsh was first reported by the Guardian on Thursday. The spokesperson said: "The families of those murdered and injured in Southport will be in this country’s heart forever and our thoughts remain with them.

"Any decision to transfer an offender is made following an independent, clinical assessment, under the Mental Health Act.

"Following rigorous security checks, the offender has been transferred to a high-security psychiatric unit, where he will remain until assessed fit to return to prison.

"Officials have approved this transfer, on behalf of Ministers. This transfer does not change his sentence – which remains at 52 years – and of which he will serve every single day."

Next week, Southport will fall silent two years since the three girls were killed.

In an open letter to the people of Southport published on Thursday, Sefton Council asked people to consider making donations to local causes instead of leaving floral tributes.

The authority said: "It is the solidarity you continue to show as a community which will again shine bright in the coming weeks and we want everyone to know there has been an incredible amount of consideration, thought and planning given to how we all mark the date of July 29 going forward."

A three-minute silence will be held across the town at 3pm to remember those affected and flags will be lowered to half-mast on all public buildings.

The council said: "Our colleagues have been working with faith and community leaders to once again identify local spaces where you can go, within your own neighbourhoods, to say a prayer, light a candle, speak to someone or spend a quiet moment reflecting in whatever way feels right for you.

"We fully understand that many of us still need to grieve and to acknowledge the day and there is no right or wrong way to do this.

"Whether you choose to attend a reflective space, observe the silence, spend time with loved ones, or simply take a quiet moment to yourself, we encourage everyone to do whatever feels most appropriate to you."