Southport - why do they keep saying a ‘Taylor Swift themed club’?

[SandrasNewDo]

It’s really bothering me.

Is it because
a) the murder of 2 children and attempted murder and severe injury of 9 others isn’t newsworthy enough without involving Taylor Swift’s name?

b) Taylor Swift needs to suffer some guilt by association in the way Ariana Grande did with the bombing at her concert?

What’s the need or relevance? If it had been a 80’s music dance class would they keep saying that? Why not just say summer dance club and then focus on the children and adults who were hurt or killed - I can’t even imagine the devastation their families and the whole community must be suffering.

Anyone?

News outlets always add facts that are not strictly relevant to the case. Nicola Bulley was "walking her dog" when she disappeared, Brianna Ghey was a "transgender schoolgirl" and I lost count of how many murder victims were described as "prostitutes" many years ago. None of these things are truly relevant to the case of someone going missing or being murdered but if news reports strictly adhered to pertinent information only they would be very dry. "Ms XYZ was stabbed, here's Tom with the weather."

The idea of giving further information is to allow the viewer/reader to build up a picture of the victim, try to hook them in and invite them to become emotionally involved in the case. Also to encourage them to form an opinion of how "innocent" the victim was. In the Taylor Swift case here, they mention the singer to set the scene that young girls were murdered - it inevitably leads the rational viewer to feel that they are largely blameless. (The opposite used to be done when prostitutes were murdered, their occupation was used against them as a means of suggesting they were less worthy than other women, at least it was "only" a prostitute.)

You've only accessed the advert because it said it was a Taylor Swift themed activity on that street, which is what the post is about.

The news hasn't said the ages of the victims outright. The clues are in the type of club and then the specifics advertised.

We still don't know whether aged 6, or 8, or 10, but the description has given an idea.

Think the poster means the police hadnt stated the ages of the victims

Which is why the poster said
so they've included the club and intended age so it's clear most if not all of the victims are little girls'

Overall it's horrific and I agree it's probably relevant - far too random that this man would get in a taxi and go there specially.

Also makes me much more conscious about kids clubs in general and their vulnerability. Most won't have the sort of locked front door and gates that a school would have in daily operation.

I wish they hadn't had the headline this morning 'It was the worst crime-scene I've ever seen' or similar (BBC News).

How is that going to make the families feel? It's utterly insensitive. Yes, you don't need much imagination to understand just how horrible it must have been, but the sensationalist headline is cruel.

I think that it probably has increased clicks, to be honest. Anything to add human interest - more people will feel empathy with the victims and interest in the story if they feel connected to it. So if you have a little girl who loves Taylor Swift, the idea is that you'd be more likely to feel a shudder of "there but for the grace of God"... and click to read the story. It's horrific but there's a reason why "If it bleeds, it leads" is a thing in the media.

Stop being so patronising. And naive.

I think a lot of people on here need to stop being so naive.

This. It won't be to hint at motive for attack because a) that's not established and b) you can't say anything to influence a trial if motive is established and c) you are only allowed to report fact.

This is a fact.

Another fact is over 50 lives were ruined yesterday in one way of another. Those families will be affected forever and those whose innocent children died ..... it doesn't bare thinking about

I just cannot comprehend this atrocity as a mum of 2 swifties I know how excited they’d have been to go to something like this.

The internet has a lot to answer for. These nutcase psychopaths can find one another and spur eachother along to commit horrendous crimes now a days. Not sure if anyone else has listened to the trial podcast where they covered the Holly Willoughby case and that crime was all planned online too with these nutcases egging each other along. Thank God the plot was found out and stopped. I wish I could say the same for these little darlings.

My heart goes out to the little ones and their families 💔

Probably as others have said to let people know it was girls who were being targeted. I went with my daughter to see Stevie Nicks a few weeks ago and my hand did stall as I went to book the tickets because I knew that would be an event where the majority of the audience would be women and that for some people that could make that event a target. I dismissed the thought and we went without event but it is horrifying that parents now have to make that calculation and that even children, girls are in danger from these men who hate women so much they chose to kill them for no reason but that hatred.

also likely to be staffed by women and young girls with perhaps no men on the premises. Presumably he wanted to kill little girls and women with as little to stop him as possible. He didn't pick a young lads boxing club staffed by big blokes.

I imagine Taylor Swift, if she knows about it, would be devastated. However none of this is her fault.
I think we the British public need to be told exactly who this perpetrator is , as there are many rumours swirling around

We aren't owed anything. At 17 he can't be named yet and they can't say anything that would prejudice a trial
I would rather his name never came out and we remembered by the victims names

No, we don't need to be told

In cases of all kinds, police are banned from identifying suspects who have been arrested until they are charged with an offence

If the suspect is under18, they have automatic anonymity. It lifts when they turn 18, unless further restrictions made, or when a judge orders it

Are you for real? So if this was a few months later THEN this would be part of the misogynistic culture? But not yet. Right.

Because that's what the event was OP. It would be strange if they omitted that part as they are building a whole picture of the tragic event.
As for those wondering who the perpetrator is, it's allover facebook. UK can't publish names but it hasn't stopped news outlets in other countries.

I thought MNHQ had closed down all the 'Southport speculation' threads, for good reasons to do with not prejudicing the investigation or any later trial?

This whole incident is absolutely sickening 🤢 those poor parents! Honestly in absolute shock!

Oh fgs stop with all the speculation and hidden meanings. No wonder every thread on this has been zapped.
They're literally just saying where it happened. If it had been a local school they would have named the school. If it happened in a park they would have named the park. It's just a description.
And since the perpetrator is legally a child we won't be told his name any time soon.

I'd be surprised if Taylor Swift doesn't know about it. The story is being reported on CNN, NYT and I'm sure many other US and worldwide news outlets.

My daughter is 24 she would’ve loved this at this age. we are just back from seeing Taylor Swift. This is awful, what is our world coming too that little girls can’t go and have fun and feel safe doing what they should be doing

I hope this thread has been reported.

It was head news as soon as it happened where I live.

Because it's factually correct and highlights that it was an event that would mostly (if not completely) be attended by innocent little girls. Somebody's already posted the advert.

This is a pregnancy and baby space that mostly runs birth, baby and toddler classes throughout the year. One of the ladies running the class usually runs yoga for families and children. On another Monday I may have been there myself at a baby class. I'm sure if there'd have been the usual Monday baby and toddler classes on the headlines would state whatever was happening at the time.

I'm struggling to comprehend the whole thing and the police really do need to release some more facts.