The three girls killed in Southport have been named by police as Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine.
In a tribute issued through Merseyside Police, Bebe King’s family said: “No words can describe the devastation that has hit our family as we try to deal with the loss of our little girl Bebe.”
The family of Alice Aguiar said: “Keep smiling and dancing like you love to do our Princess, like we said before to you, you’re always our princess and no one would change that. Love from Your Hero Daddy and Mummy.”
A Merseyside Police statement said: “Their families, who are being supported by specialist officers, have issued photographs and have asked that their privacy is respected at this time.”