'She was so pure. We won't let evil win this'

THE heartbroken parents of two girls killed in the Southport stabbings have demanded the Government improves online safety - to protect future generations of youngsters.

- By Chris Riches

The parents of Elsie Stancombe, seven, and Bebe King, six, relived their memories of the girls who, along with Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, were murdered by Axel Rudakubana at a dance class in July.

Last month, the Government announced a public inquiry after the 18-year-old was jailed for life for murdering the three girls and attempting to murder 10 others, including eight children.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that for years Rudakubana, who boasted he was "glad" he murdered the girls, had become obsessed with watching online videos of murder, torture, genocide and stabbings.

In tearful interviews with Good Morning Britain's Susanna Reid yesterday, the parents have now addressed their ordeals.

Elsie's mother and father Jenni and David and Bebe's parents who cannot be named for legal reasons - said they hoped the legacy of their children's deaths would be better safety for other children.

Jenni Stancombe, 35, who explained her daughter "didn't know bad", said: "It was a privilege to be her mum.

"I was so proud of her. The love she gave.

Her nature was so pure.

"We promised ourselves that every day we would get up, have a shower and get changed and we'd never stay in our pyjamas and stay in bed. Elsie would never have wanted that. We won't let evil win this."

She added: "If somebody's made a decision that's resulted in an element of failure then there needs to be accountability for that. I believe the announcement of the inquiry will do that and it will hold people to account for some of the decisions they've made."

After Rudakubana pleaded guilty to the attacks at the start of his trial last month, it was revealed he had been referred to the Government's Prevent anti-terror scheme three times. but the cases were closed.