The events in Southport yesterday serve to remind us of the fact that we never know what may happen in our lives…today, tomorrow, or ever.

But what we do know is that there are people living in our community, our town, our country, who are capable of the most terrible acts of violence.

They may have given rise to concern before, or they may not, but if you see behaviours that cause you concern, do something. Speak to others, whose opinions you trust, to see whether they too have concerns like you. This is not to become vigilantes, but be a vigilant, caring member of your local community.

However, when something as horrific and totally unexpected as yesterday’s attack on young children does happen, the support of those outside the immediate families can help the affected families. So, don’t look away; don’t say or think – this is none of my business, because it is your business…in the way you behave towards the victims and their families. Don’t look away or cross the road to avoid them because you’re unsure what to say.

Just be there – be human – be as you would like others to be if it was YOU, or YOUR FAMILY living the nightmare