Google helping to unlock clues to monster's motives police hope are hidden in his deleted search history

GOOGLE techies are helping police uncover clues to Southport murderer Axel Rudakubana's knife rampage.

- By Chris Riches

The teenager deleted his internet search history on a number of devices moments before he left home to attack 13 children and adults, killing three young girls.

Wiping his data left detectives in the dark about what he had been researching before the atrocity last July.

Despite the mass stabbings not being classed as a terror incident - the highest severity Merseyside Police had submitted requests to US-based Google's Chrome and Microsoft's Bing browsers, asking for the information.

This week the force said even though they had gone through the "correct" UK/US channels, they were still waiting for the data.

Google has now pledged to look into the delay and help police chiefs obtain the information.

A spokesman said: "Our deepest sympathies are with all of the families and individuals affected by this horrific attack. We are in touch with Merseyside Police to support their inquiries."

On Thursday, Rudakubana, 18, of Banks, Lancashire, was jailed for life at Liverpool Crown Court. He must serve a minimum of 52 years behind bars.