Yvette Cooper announced a public inquiry into how Southport killer Axel Rudakubana "came to be so dangerous" after the 18-year-old pleaded guilty to the murders of three young girls on Monday.

The Home Secretary said Britain must "face up to why this has been happening and what needs to change" with an inquiry to find out the "truth".

Rudakubana also pleaded guilty to attempting to murder eight other children and two adults, including dance instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes.

Cooper confirmed the 18-year-old had “contact with a range of different state agencies throughout his teenage years” before carrying out his “meticulously planned rampage”.

It comes after Rudakubana had been referred to the Government anti-extremism scheme 'Prevent' three times before he stabbed the three young girls to death.

He was referred to 'Prevent' due to concerns about his obsession with violence, though he was found not to be motivated by a terrorist ideology.