Ben Roberts-Haslam
@benhaslm.bsky.social
Journalist for the Liverpool Echo and occasionally Daily Mirror // Previously PA & EFL
Email: ben.haslam@reachplc.com
Email: ben.haslam@reachplc.com
Pinned
Ben Roberts-Haslam
@benhaslm.bsky.social
· Jul 30
'The blinds were closed and the lights were off. I didn't leave for weeks'
Dozens feared for their safety as they felt trapped in their homes
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
One year ago, in the shadow of the attack that took place on Hart Street, mindless thugs besieged the local mosque in an act of heartless thuggery.
I revisited the area, just minutes from my home, to speak with people who have never told their story.
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
I revisited the area, just minutes from my home, to speak with people who have never told their story.
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
One year ago, in the shadow of the attack that took place on Hart Street, mindless thugs besieged the local mosque in an act of heartless thuggery.
I revisited the area, just minutes from my home, to speak with people who have never told their story.
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
I revisited the area, just minutes from my home, to speak with people who have never told their story.
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
'The blinds were closed and the lights were off. I didn't leave for weeks'
Dozens feared for their safety as they felt trapped in their homes
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
July 30, 2025 at 8:24 AM
One year ago, in the shadow of the attack that took place on Hart Street, mindless thugs besieged the local mosque in an act of heartless thuggery.
I revisited the area, just minutes from my home, to speak with people who have never told their story.
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
I revisited the area, just minutes from my home, to speak with people who have never told their story.
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
NEW: A report has stated Southport attacker Axel Rudakubana could have, and should have, been stopped following the first Prevent referral in 2019.
Full story here:
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Full story here:
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Axel Rudakubana should have been escalated years before attack
A new report has found there were failings around the way Prevent dealt with his case
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
July 16, 2025 at 1:05 PM
NEW: A report has stated Southport attacker Axel Rudakubana could have, and should have, been stopped following the first Prevent referral in 2019.
Full story here:
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Full story here:
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Reposted by Ben Roberts-Haslam
Huge news for Southport 🏖️
Southport Pier set to re-open after Government announcement.
Reaction from @lcrmayor.bsky.social @patrickhurley.bsky.social @seftoncouncil.bsky.social
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Southport Pier set to re-open after Government announcement.
Reaction from @lcrmayor.bsky.social @patrickhurley.bsky.social @seftoncouncil.bsky.social
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Southport Pier to re-open as seaside town gets its 'groove back'
Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed the Government's intention to support the re-opening of the Southport landmark
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
June 11, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Huge news for Southport 🏖️
Southport Pier set to re-open after Government announcement.
Reaction from @lcrmayor.bsky.social @patrickhurley.bsky.social @seftoncouncil.bsky.social
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Southport Pier set to re-open after Government announcement.
Reaction from @lcrmayor.bsky.social @patrickhurley.bsky.social @seftoncouncil.bsky.social
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
A group of residents have been allowed into the block of flats. Police remain inside and outside the building as work continues
May 8, 2025 at 2:38 PM
A group of residents have been allowed into the block of flats. Police remain inside and outside the building as work continues
Forensic work is ongoing and people are still being told they can’t enter the building. Police have told they don’t have a timeframe on how long it will be.
May 8, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Forensic work is ongoing and people are still being told they can’t enter the building. Police have told they don’t have a timeframe on how long it will be.
Forensics are currently working at the back of the block, with two scientific support units in attendance
May 8, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Forensics are currently working at the back of the block, with two scientific support units in attendance
One man who lives in the block of flats told me: “I live here and there’s blood everywhere. Police came about an hour ago, I heard all the sirens. It happened on the first floor by the sounds of it.”
May 8, 2025 at 1:54 PM
One man who lives in the block of flats told me: “I live here and there’s blood everywhere. Police came about an hour ago, I heard all the sirens. It happened on the first floor by the sounds of it.”
Scientific support has arrived at the scene
May 8, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Scientific support has arrived at the scene
There appears to be no cordon at the back of the building, it’s unclear whether residents are able to leave or enter Beech Rise currently
May 8, 2025 at 1:46 PM
There appears to be no cordon at the back of the building, it’s unclear whether residents are able to leave or enter Beech Rise currently
North West Ambulance Service has left the scene but several police cars, marked and unmarked, remain at the front and rear of the building
May 8, 2025 at 1:45 PM
North West Ambulance Service has left the scene but several police cars, marked and unmarked, remain at the front and rear of the building
When I arrived at the scene, one woman was told she was unable to enter the building and turned away by police
May 8, 2025 at 1:44 PM
When I arrived at the scene, one woman was told she was unable to enter the building and turned away by police
One person told the Echo there is blood visible inside the flats, with what appears to be a towel in the doorway of the front door to the flats
May 8, 2025 at 1:43 PM
One person told the Echo there is blood visible inside the flats, with what appears to be a towel in the doorway of the front door to the flats
Police officers and detectives can be seen coming and going from the rear entrance with what appears to be residents of the flats speaking with police
May 8, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Police officers and detectives can be seen coming and going from the rear entrance with what appears to be residents of the flats speaking with police
Emergency services are currently at the scene, with police activity at both the front and rear of the property
May 8, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Emergency services are currently at the scene, with police activity at both the front and rear of the property
Afternoon, I’m on Roughwood Drive where Merseyside Police has cordoned off Beech Rise flats
May 8, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Afternoon, I’m on Roughwood Drive where Merseyside Police has cordoned off Beech Rise flats
A second police vehicle has arrived at the scene of the cordon on the corner of Church Street and Ranelagh Street
March 29, 2025 at 8:47 AM
A second police vehicle has arrived at the scene of the cordon on the corner of Church Street and Ranelagh Street
Expectedly, the city centre is getting busier and more people are passing through and noticing the cordon.
We have approached Merseyside Police for information about what happened here last night.
We have approached Merseyside Police for information about what happened here last night.
March 29, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Expectedly, the city centre is getting busier and more people are passing through and noticing the cordon.
We have approached Merseyside Police for information about what happened here last night.
We have approached Merseyside Police for information about what happened here last night.
Security Plus has just visited the restaurant and told staff could not enter, with an indication the cordon could be in place for another few hours
March 29, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Security Plus has just visited the restaurant and told staff could not enter, with an indication the cordon could be in place for another few hours
Another witness told me police and paramedics arrived at the scene before 8pm last night. He said: “I saw a man injured on the floor with three people around him. Police arrived first then the ambulances arrived.”
March 29, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Another witness told me police and paramedics arrived at the scene before 8pm last night. He said: “I saw a man injured on the floor with three people around him. Police arrived first then the ambulances arrived.”
McDonald’s remains closed to the public while the cordon is in place with staff seen inside the restaurant.
It has remained shut since the cordon was erected last night.
It has remained shut since the cordon was erected last night.
March 29, 2025 at 8:17 AM
McDonald’s remains closed to the public while the cordon is in place with staff seen inside the restaurant.
It has remained shut since the cordon was erected last night.
It has remained shut since the cordon was erected last night.
One witness at the scene said the cordon has been in place for slightly over 12 hours following an incident outside the restaurant.
He told me he saw emergency services rush to the scene at around 7.30pm after a man appeared to have suffered a head injury on the pavement.
He told me he saw emergency services rush to the scene at around 7.30pm after a man appeared to have suffered a head injury on the pavement.
March 29, 2025 at 8:16 AM
One witness at the scene said the cordon has been in place for slightly over 12 hours following an incident outside the restaurant.
He told me he saw emergency services rush to the scene at around 7.30pm after a man appeared to have suffered a head injury on the pavement.
He told me he saw emergency services rush to the scene at around 7.30pm after a man appeared to have suffered a head injury on the pavement.
Morning, I’m at McDonald’s on the corner of Church Street and Ranelagh Street in Liverpool city centre where a police cordon is in place outside the fast food restaurant
March 29, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Morning, I’m at McDonald’s on the corner of Church Street and Ranelagh Street in Liverpool city centre where a police cordon is in place outside the fast food restaurant
On Sunday I ran the Liverpool Half Marathon for Elsie's Story as Jenni and Dave continue their daughter's legacy.
Listening to them talk brought a tear to my eye, as I imagine it will do for most. A truly remarkable family giving back to the community.
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Listening to them talk brought a tear to my eye, as I imagine it will do for most. A truly remarkable family giving back to the community.
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
'Elsie wanted the best for everybody and this is her gift'
Elsie Dot Stancombe's legacy has lived on through her parents as hundreds joined in to raise money in the seven-year-old's memory
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
March 25, 2025 at 11:04 AM
On Sunday I ran the Liverpool Half Marathon for Elsie's Story as Jenni and Dave continue their daughter's legacy.
Listening to them talk brought a tear to my eye, as I imagine it will do for most. A truly remarkable family giving back to the community.
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Listening to them talk brought a tear to my eye, as I imagine it will do for most. A truly remarkable family giving back to the community.
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Absolutely incredible day out celebrating the amazing work the @liverpoolecho.co.uk has produced over the last year. Chuffed to have been highly commended in the young reporter category too.
Congratulations to everyone, especially my friends, not to mention @liamthorp.bsky.social for his big win.
Congratulations to everyone, especially my friends, not to mention @liamthorp.bsky.social for his big win.
March 13, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Absolutely incredible day out celebrating the amazing work the @liverpoolecho.co.uk has produced over the last year. Chuffed to have been highly commended in the young reporter category too.
Congratulations to everyone, especially my friends, not to mention @liamthorp.bsky.social for his big win.
Congratulations to everyone, especially my friends, not to mention @liamthorp.bsky.social for his big win.
The cordon is believed to be remaining in place for a while longer as forensic work continues
March 5, 2025 at 10:51 AM
The cordon is believed to be remaining in place for a while longer as forensic work continues