They Were Children. They Died. Sefton Must Answer.

Elsie Stancombe (7)
Bebe King (6)
Alice Da Silva Aguiar (9)

 

They were not statistics.
They were little girls — full of life, joy, and innocence — who never came home.

What happened to them was not just a tragedy.
It was a moment that should have triggered total transparency, total accountability, and total honesty from every authority responsible for protecting children.

Instead, serious questions remain.

The crimes committed by Axel Rudakabara shocked the nation. The brutality is undeniable. But beyond the individual responsible, the public is left asking:

Were there missed warning signs?
Were systems followed properly?
Did safeguarding fail at any level?
And if so — who is accountable?

Because when children die, “we followed procedure” is not enough.

 

Failures That Cost Lives Must Never Be Hidden

The memory of Elsie, Bebe, and Alice should stand for one thing:

A council that left no stone unturned in pursuit of truth.

Not a council facing growing public concern about silence, deflection, or incomplete answers.

People are not asking for speculation.

They are asking for facts:

What was known before this happened?
What actions were taken — or not taken?
What has changed since?
And who has taken responsibility?
Because without those answers, trust does not just erode — it collapses.

 

And While These Questions Remain… The Finances Tell Another Story

At the very same time residents are demanding clarity over safeguarding, Sefton Council is under intense scrutiny for its financial decisions:

The Strand Deal — Approximately £43 million spent on an asset reportedly worth far less, raising serious questions about due diligence, valuation, and decision-making.
Floral Hall — Around £72 million allocated, only for the site to end in demolition, with no clear public benefit and no transparent explanation of where that money ultimately went.
Escalating Borrowing — Reports of borrowing in the region of £2.5 million per month to keep childrens services afloat , placing long-term financial pressure on the borough with limited public clarity.
Governance Concerns — Reports of gaps in oversight, key roles, and accountability structures that raise further questions about how decisions are being made and monitored.
This is not just mismanagement.

It raises a fundamental issue:

If transparency is lacking in finances — how can the public trust transparency when it comes to children’s lives?

 

This Is Bigger Than One Case. This Is About a System.

This is about:

Safeguarding systems that must work — every time
Leadership that must be accountable — at all times
Public money that must be properly managed — without exception
And right now, many residents believe those standards are not being met.

 

We Are Demanding Answers — Not Silence

1. A Public Town Hall Meeting (Before the Election)

Where Sefton Council leadership must answer, openly and directly:

Safeguarding procedures and any identified failures
What was known prior to serious incidents and what action was taken
Lessons learned from cases linked in the public domain to Axel Rudakabara
Oversight and accountability within children’s services
The Strand financial decision and associated concerns
The Floral Hall project and loss of public funds
The council’s borrowing strategy and financial risk

And the death of vulnerable mothers in Sefton that are dead because Sefton failed to safegaurd them 

 

2. A Full Independent Forensic Audit

Covering:

Children’s services decision-making, safeguarding, and oversight
Major financial transactions and asset acquisitions
Governance structures, risk management, and accountability
Borrowing practices and long-term financial exposure

 

Because This Is What It Comes Down To

Three little girls lost their lives.

Elsie. Bebe. Alice.

Their memory should force truth into the open.

Not be met with silence.
Not be softened with statements.
Not be buried under bureaucracy.

 

If Those Lives Meant Anything — Then Accountability Is Not Optional

Sefton cannot move forward without answers.

The public will not accept:

Deflection
Delays
Closed-door assurances
Only full transparency will restore trust.

 

Sign This Petition. Demand the Truth.