Leanne Lucas, a courageous dance instructor, was attacked while protecting children during an incident in Southport. She expressed feeling abandoned by the responsible authorities tasked with ensuring public safety. In the unfortunate event last year, Leanne was stabbed multiple times by Axel Rudakubana while trying to safeguard young girls during a Taylor Swift-themed workshop.
Tragically, three young girls, Elsie Dot Stancombe, Bebe King, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, lost their lives in the attack. Leanne, who sustained severe injuries, was scheduled to testify at a public inquiry but was deemed unfit to do so. Her sentiments were conveyed through a statement, pointing out that despite following all event guidelines, the unforeseen violence exposed a critical safety lapse by various organizations.
During the inquiry, it was highlighted that had Leanne perceived any risk of an attack, she would have canceled the workshop to ensure the safety of all involved. She has since refrained from organizing events and teaching due to the traumatic experience. Additionally, locking the studio doors, as suggested, would have posed significant safety concerns according to police assessments.
The emotional toll on Leanne was evident when she presented her impact statement at the inquiry. The studio owner, Jennifer Scholes, testified about the absence of prior security incidents at The Hart Space, expressing disbelief at the tragic turn of events. She commended Leanne’s professionalism and dedication, emphasizing her positive impact as a teacher.
The inquiry is ongoing, shedding light on the events leading up to the attack and the subsequent aftermath.