Southport Killer Axel Rudakubana 'played the system' to get a move from HMP Belmarsh to the high-security psychiatric hospital Broadmoor, the Prison Officers' Association said10:02, 24 Jul 2026Updated 10:31, 24 Jul 2026Southport killer Axel Rudakubana has "played the system" to get a move to Broadmoor Hospital, the Prison Officers' Association said.‌Rudakubana murdered Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, Bebe King, six, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, and injured eight other children and two adults in an attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport in July 2024.‌On Thursday, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) confirmed the killer was transferred from HMP Belmarsh to Broadmoor, the high-security psychiatric hospital in Berkshire. A spokesperson said he would remain locked up and is unlikely to ever be released.‌Chris Walker, of Bond Turner, who is representing the three bereaved families, said that while this news "would devastate them at any time, the fact that this has occurred as we approach the second anniversary in our view is another move by AR who would appear to be attempting, once again, to manipulate the system".He added: "We have been given the barest of details and whilst we are supporting the families through this we are urgently seeking a meeting with the appropriate authorities to understand the situation before commenting further."‌Chairman of the Prison Officers' Association Mark Fairhurst said Rudakubana, now 19, "played the system" and will now enjoy certain freedoms at Broadmoor, where he will be classed as a patient.Fairhurst said in a statement: "This vile offender has played the system and will now enjoy the freedoms that are afforded mentally unwell patients in secure psychiatric hospitals, including benefits that law abiding tax payers will fund."My members will be placed at risk without the protections afforded to staff in prisons because he is now classed as a patient. He should spend his entire sentence in a prison in solitary confinement.‌"My thoughts are with the families of the victims and all those affected by his heinous crimes."Sally Jameson, a junior housing minister and former prison officer, said it would not be right for Rudakubana to qualify for benefits at Broadmoor.‌"It's not right, and I sincerely hope that he won't be qualifying for benefits. But actually, fundamentally, what I think is important to note is he will not get time off his sentence, and he will be returned to jail as soon as possible," Jameson told LBC.The MP said high security hospitals are not like ordinary hospitals, and that Rudakubana "will be kept under very stringent conditions, befitting actually to his crime, but also the level of security that needs to be put around him"."I'm confident that he will be returned to prison as soon as possible and serve out his sentence," she added. "And I agree that should be under the most punitive and solitary conditions that is possible."‌Rudakubana, from Banks, Lancashire, was jailed for life in January 2025, with a minimum sentence of 52 years for the murders of Elsie Dot Stancombe, Bebe King, and Alice da Silva Aguiar.He also pleaded guilty to the attempted murders of Leanne Lucas and Jonathan Hayes and admitted the possession of a bladed article in a public place, namely a kitchen knife with a curved blade.‌His move to Broadmoor was approved by officials on behalf of ministers. A Ministry of Justice spokesperson stressed it does not alter his 52-year sentence.The spokesperson said: "The families of those murdered and injured in Southport will be in this country's heart forever and our thoughts remain with them."Any decision to transfer an offender is made following an independent, clinical assessment, under the Mental Health Act.Article continues below"Following rigorous security checks, the offender has been transferred to a high-security psychiatric unit, where he will remain until assessed fit to return to prison."Officials have approved this transfer, on behalf of Ministers. This transfer does not change his sentence – which remains at 52 years – and of which he will serve every single day."