To be genuinely scared of the world we live in

‘ This world try the U.K. this is not happening in many other places. It is disgraceful ‘

Pretty much exactly the same thing happened in the last two years in Annecy (France) and in Dublin.

I think the difference from my youth is that there seem to be alot more mentally ill people wandering around. There used to be mental hospitals but the government decided to close them down to save money. We also seem to be importing mentally traumatised people from Africa/Middle East. I don't remember all these random knife attacks when I was young in the 80s (conversely there seemed to be more murders of young women just getting the train home etc).

It’s called bigger picture thinking. I’m trying to help someone with anxiety. I’ve worked through this stuff in my own life because I lost a sibling as a young teen to what is now a vaccine preventable virus.

We still live in a very safe country. The events of yesterday are horrific and absolutely tragic. But the reason it’s so shocking is because it’s so very rare. Mass violent crimes against children - there have only been 3 events in my lifetime that I remember in the U.K. Yesterday, Manchester, and Dunblane.

That said, I couldn’t sleep last night thinking about these poor kids.

was about to post something similar. Nowadays, we know the news instantly, due to the internet etc. in the past, we’d only hear it on the news, or read it in newspapers.

How are you feeling @pinklite? Hope you got some rest. Thinking of you.

No, I get why you said it, it was a particularly horrible case. I guess it was notorious for a reason. But I felt that going into any more detail on the thread would've been inappropriate — and the Wikipedia summary gives enough info to get a feel of what you're getting into, but without all the detail you get further into the article.

I think the "random vicious attack" part might cover it.

Oh yeah.

I need to read properly. Or sleep.

I think the "random vicious attack" part might cover it.

I know that violence can happen to anyone, but - given the overwhelming percentage of males committing the violence and the rise of shitheads like Tate - the question is how do we raise our boys to behave without violence and anger. (And I have both sons and now grandsons). In Australia recently there was mass stabbing that targeted only women. This appears to present in the same way. Those poor little ones and all their families 🩷

That might need a content warning. I think I remember that one.

Random vicious attacks targeting children aren't new. Ever heard the phrase "Sweet Fanny Adams"? This is what happened to Fanny Adams. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fanny_Adams

I think it helps to concentrate on the community you live in and not the wider world. 90% of your life is what happens on your doorstep- and it's what you can influence most easily too - so spend at least 90% of your time and energy near to home.

Thank you, it’s horrible isn’t it

My injured colleague has been named in a few articles now and is quoted as saying that they are very upset they couldn’t help more. My heart breaks for them and everyone involved. Just awful

I had a rehearsal today (adult group) in a leisure centre and we walked past a hall space with the fire doors wide open (boiling hot today). There were around 60 children in there, huge dance class. An adult came over and slammed the doors shut as we walked past. I thought she was rude or that we were being much noisier that I thought we were. I hadn't seen the news. Makes horrible sense now.

I get how you feel, OP. Logically, YABU, the chances of anything like that happening to anyone you know let alone anyone close to you are tiny. But fear isn't rational.

I am a relatively thick skinned person - I'm a journalist (don't worry, I don't come here to pinch stories on slow news days - I mainly work in PR and copywriting now) and whilst I wouldn't say I'm desensitised, years of training and work does help to have a line between 'work' and 'home', a bit of self preservation so to speak.

I can't even explain how badly this has affected me - I have a 7 year old daughter and cried as soon as I'd put her to bed. I looked how tiny she is, how totally and utterly innocent she is, and it absolutely destroyed me. I then walked to the next bedroom and done exactly the same with my 8 year old son. Southport is somewhere we go on days out - it's very normal for us. I just cannot wrap my mind around it and I've seen some things over the years.

I have never believed in the death penalty until today. No amount of 'reason' that anyone puts behind this will ever convince me that this thing is nothing short of evil.

I've seen pictures in comment sections that I can't get out of my head - the people taking them should be ashamed of themselves and the people sharing and resharing should be even more so ashamed.

My heart is with every single person who has been affected by this. What an unbelievably dark and sad day. Devastated.

Oh @BeyondShocked bless you.

I don’t think many people are sleeping well tonight and you must feel so shocked.

I work on Hart St and one of my co-workers was stabbed trying to help. They are in hospital awaiting surgery.

I feel awful to feel relieved I was working from home today and my mind has been spinning all day with what ifs. Mostly I’m just devastated for the children, the parents, the people who tried to help and the community who have to live with the aftermath of one individuals awful actions.

Obviously what happened in Southport earlier was horrendous. It’s not unreasonable to feel uneasy and anxious and sad for the world.

However, life is way too short to live in fear. There is so much shit in the world, but there are way more good things in the world.

Attacks like this are incredibly rare. It’s not a common or daily occurrence. Most victims of murder are known to their attacker.

@Apolloneuro Thank you x I really do - I know a family involved, it’s much too real. This thread has provided some comfort though, thank you to the pragmatists.

You've already got kids there's no point worrying about it now. I thought of all this stuff before I had any and decided not to. Can't say I regret my decision. You'll never be able to make this place into a safe world, it's full of humans.

You must feel even more connected and devastated. Take care of yourself x

I could have written your post in respect of the worry about my children. The trouble is, I am from Southport and this incident literally hits too close to home. I don’t know how I’ll ever have this not play on my mind. Those poor people. I am devastated.

A lot safer, in fact.

The UK is no more dangerous than anywhere else!

You are seriously overreacting.

My daughter said the same thing last week about her 4 year old - no phone until high school and then just an old brick with no access to the internet. Wise, I think.