Police are treating the stabbing of a 14-year-old boy in Peterborough as one of three knife-related incidents in the city believed to be linked to the Huntingdon train stabbings suspect.
Anthony Williams, 32, has been charged with 10 counts of attempted murder, one count of actual bodily harm and one count of possession of bladed article following the attacks on the LNER service to London King’s Cross on Saturday evening.
He is also charged with another count of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article in connection to an incident on a train at Pontoon Dock DLR station in east London in the early hours of the same day.
However, Cambridgeshire Police have said they are aware of three incidents; one man with a knife at a barbers in Fletton on Friday, another on Saturday again by the barbers in Fletton and a third where a 14-year-old was stabbed by a man with a knife in the city centre.
Williams wore a grey tracksuit and wore handcuffs as he stood flanked by four security officers in the dock at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on Monday. He was remanded in custody until a hearing at Cambridge Crown Court on December 1.
Five victims have now been discharged from hospital, while a “heroic” railway worker remains in hospital fighting for his life.
A 35-year-old man from London who was also arrested at the scene at Huntingdon railway station has been released with no further action. The British Transport Police also ruled out the motivation of terrorism.
Key Points
- Police name Anthony Williams as man charged with stabbing attack
- Man charged also accused of separate London attack earlier that day
- Williams remanded in custody at court
- Injured train staff member 'critical but stable'
- Suspect was not known to counter-terror police
- Police says three knife-related incidents linked to the Huntingdon train attack suspect
Huntingdon train stab suspect could be linked to string of knife incidents in hours before rampage
18:30 , Rebecca Whittaker
Train stab suspect could be linked to string of knife incidents in hours before
Peterborough MP praises train driver for going 'beyond the call of duty'
18:15 , Rebecca WhittakerPeterborough MP Andrew Pakes told the commons he doesn't want his constituency to become known "just because of the acts of a single perpetrator".
He added a tribute to the train driver Andrew Johnson, who is one of his constituents and said that he went “beyond the call of duty”.
He said Andrew and his colleagues "showed the best of British values, and the true face of the county I represent and its people."
The MP also asked the government to tackle knife crime and ensure public transport id dafe.
Watch: Home secretary shares update on victims of Huntingdon train stabbing
18:00 , Rebecca Whittaker'The action I took is the same as any other driver,' said LNER driver Andrew Johnson
17:50 , Rebecca WhittakerLNER train company has released a statement thanking driver Andrew Johnson.
Mr Johnson, who has been driving for nearly 20 years after serving in the Royal Navy for 17 years, made an unscheduled stop in Huntingdon, allowing police officers to access the train.
“As train drivers, we hold a lot of responsibility. We practise our emergency response and keep up to date with our knowledge of the route, so if needed, we know exactly where to stop and what to do,” Mr Johnson said.
He continued: “The action I took is the same as any other driver. I think my colleagues onboard were the real heroes and I’d like to pay tribute to their bravery.”
David Horne, Managing Director at LNER, said: “Andrew’s actions are testament to the expertise and skills he has built over his career, both on the railway and in the military. The intensive training undertaken by our drivers means they are always ready to respond in any situation.
“We’re grateful to Andrew, our onboard colleagues, the signaller, and the station team at Huntingdon, for their actions on Saturday. Our thoughts remain with our colleague in hospital.”
'Brave action' of those responding to the train attack saved 'countless lives' says PM
17:42 , Rebecca WhittakerPrime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the “brave action” of those responding to the mass stabbing on a train on Friday has “saved countless lives”.
In the Commons, he said: “I want to put on record in this House my own tribute to the police, the first responders, and in particular, to the heroic actions of both the driver and members of staff on board the Doncaster to London train, where such a vile and horrific attack took place this weekend.
“We all share in the revulsion of this shocking incident, but there’s no doubt that their collective action, their brave action, saved countless lives, and I know the whole country is grateful for that.”
Labour MP questions long-term security changes
17:40 , Rebecca WhittakerLabour MP Ruth Cadbury, who is Chair of the Transport Select Committee, asked the home secretary about the long-term security changes on rail services.
Shabana Mahmood responded that it is "always a balance" when it comes to ease of travelling and making sure people are safe.
'At moments like this, those who aspire to leadership must calm fears and attempt to unite, not inflame tensions'
17:35 , Rebecca WhittakerLiberal Democrats home affairs spokesman Max Wilkinson went on to accuse shadow home secretary Chris Philp of “blaming foreigners” in his speech about the Huntingdon train attack.
After accusing members of Reform UK of trying to “whip up fear and sow division”, Mr Wilkinson said: “The shadow home secretary’s comments today also veered into that realm.
“Never is an opportunity to blame foreigners missed. That is beneath contempt.
“At moments like this, those who aspire to leadership must calm fears and attempt to unite, not inflame tensions.”
Mr Philp shouted from his seat: “I didn’t blame foreigners, withdraw that!”
Responding, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “I deplore the ease with which so many armchair warriors feel the need to speculate and spread misinformation on social media. It’s why it’s important that the police and all of our emergency services are able to proceed with their investigations at pace, but also transparently, so as to calm down any tensions that might arise as a result of misinformation that spreads, particularly across social media.
“In terms of how other people may or may not have reacted, I tend to think at moments of such crisis, people normally reveal their true colours, and I will leave my remarks about other individuals there.”
Liberal Democrats home affairs spokesman accuses Reform of 'exploiting incident for political gain'
17:30 , Rebecca WhittakerLiberal Democrat spokesperson Max Wilkinson, accuses political figures on the "hard right, including members of the Reform Party" of seeking to "exploit the incident for political gain".
Mr Wilkinson said: “After this sort of incident, it is vital that police are given the time and space they need to establish the full facts.
“That is ever more difficult, due to the rapid spread of disinformation online in the immediate aftermath of these sort of attacks. Within hours, social media was flooded with speculation over the ethnicity and race of the perpetrator, inciting racist and Islamophobic comments.
“And when communities were still reeling from the horror of this attack, certain political figures on the hard-right, including members of the Reform party, were already seeking to exploit the incident for political gain.
“Desperate to involve themselves in the tragedy, they reached for their dog whistles.
“They threw around baseless opinions on levels of crime when facts were available. They were shamelessly trying to turn tragedy into yet another excuse to whip up fear and sow division.”
Home Secretary says government could be doing more with 'emerging technology'
17:25 , Rebecca WhittakerHome Secretary Shabana Mahmood said there is “much more” the Government could be doing with “new and emerging technology” to tackle knife crime.
Responding to shadow home secretary Chris Philp, Ms Mahmood said: “This Government will consult on a legal framework so that all police forces across the country can use live facial recognition technology, confident that they will not find themselves defending those decisions in courts in the future.”
She added: “I think there is much more that we can do to use new and emerging technology in order to help us tackle this type of criminality.”
Ms Mahmood said the “majority” of those who are in possession of a knife receive “reasonably lengthy prison sentences”, adding: “When we know more about the circumstances of this particular case, we will know if there are other lessons for us to draw, and other areas of policy for us to consider.”
On stop and search, she said: “The police already have the power to use stop and search indiscriminately where the intelligence suggests that that is required. That is an operational decision for police chiefs.”
“This is a well used power. It is a well understood power. It is an important power that is in our arsenal for tackling criminality, and this Government fully supports its lawful use,” she added.
Shadow home secretary would support a national rollout of facial recognition technology
17:20 , Rebecca WhittakerThe Conservatives would fully support a national rollout of facial recognition technology, shadow home secretary Chris Philp said, following a mass stabbing on a high speed train on Friday.
He told the Commons: “Does she agree that more knife crime offenders should go to jail? This is important, because when offenders are in jail, they of course, can’t attack the public. Does she agree we need to ensure more people who carry knives, especially where they use them to threaten others, are jailed?
“I know, of course, there are pressure on prison places, but by deporting more of the 10,000 foreign nationals in prison, we could create more space. We also need to take more knives off our streets, and that means we have to dramatically increase the use of stop and search.”
He added: “I really do hope the Home Secretary agrees, and the police minister agrees, that rolling out (facial recognition) technology nationally will have a dramatic impact on improving public safety, and they will certainly have my full support if they choose to do that.”
Mr Philp also asked for an update on the development of technology which could “distinguish knives from keys or mobile phones” arguing this “could help police rapidly identify those carrying a knife in a public place”.
Shabana Mahmood agreed that knife crime is 'far too high'
17:15 , Rebecca WhittakerResponding to shadow home secretary Chris Philp’s comments on the need for ‘stop and search’ to increase, Shabana Mahmood agreed that knife crime is “far too high”.
She agreed that more needs to be done to reduce attacks and called for both sides of parliament to work together to address the issue.
She added police have the power to stop and search people indiscriminately, where required.
Watch: ‘Heroic’ rail worker ‘saved people’s lives’ trying to stop knife attack
17:10 , Rebecca WhittakerShadow home secretary calls for the use of 'stop and search' to 'dramatically increase'
17:08 , Rebecca WhittakerShadow home secretary Chris Philp said the attack in Cambridgeshire "has horrified and shocked the whole nation".
In response to the home secretary Shabana Mahmood, he asked whether police in London knew of suspected attacker Anthony Williams' identity, and if they informed Cambridgeshire Police.
He also suggest more should be done to prevent knife crime and said the amount of knives on streets needs to fall.
He calls for the use of "stop and search" to "dramatically increase".
Home secretary says Government must look at ways ' to better protect the public'
16:46 , Rebecca WhittakerThe Home secretary has said the government “must examine” how to prevent further knife attacks from happening and protect the public.
Shabana Mahmood acknowledged concerns over whether policing should change in response to the attack, which she described as “the very worst of humanity”.
She reassured that it was an “isolated” attack and British Transport Police’s risk assessment of the threat posed on trains has not changed.
She said: “I know that ideas have already been suggested about how policing should change in response to this event. Once the facts are known, we must examine what more might have been done to stop this horrific event from ever occurring, and whether there are measures that we must now take to better protect the public, on our streets and on our trains. However, that must be done when all the facts are available to us.”
She added: “The thoughts of the whole House are today with the victims of this horrific crime, their families and friends, and all affected by what happened on Saturday night. The sickening act of the man who committed this crime was the very worst of humanity. But the actions of those who responded, who ran towards danger to save the lives of people they did not know, was the very best of us.
“I know we all share in paying tribute to their extraordinary bravery today.”
Defence secretary praises 'swift' police response
16:45 , Rebecca WhittakerDefence Secretary John Healey has praised the “swift” response of police officers as a man was charged over a mass stabbing on a busy train in Cambridgeshire.
Speaking in Uxbridge, west London, on Monday, he said: “I think the response of the emergency services was swift. The launch of the investigation was swift.
“Quite rightly, the reports to the public on the early assessments and the conclusion, giving the public as much information as the police could as soon as they could, was quite right and this is the latest development in that.
“And if the police have got more to say, they’ll let us know.”
Asked about Kemi Badenoch’s comments that the attack shows there is “clearly something going wrong with our society”, Mr Healey said: “I don’t see that that helps anyone in the situation of coming to terms with that horrific attack on Saturday night.
“I’d rather she talked about the extraordinary response of the train crew, the passengers, the emergency services, all of whom responded in quite a heroic way to what was a very serious attack which could have been so much worse.”
Anthony Williams 'not known to security services', home secretary says
16:44 , Rebecca WhittakerAnthony Williams, 32, who has been arrested in connection with the attack was not known to security services or Prevent, Shabana Mahmood has said.
The Home Secretary said eight people remain in hospital after the knife attack on Saturday evening. Ms Mahmood said police found there was “nothing to suggest” it was terrorism.
Mr Williams was charged with 10 counts of attempted murder, one count of possession of a knife and one count of actual bodily harm in connection with the incident.
The train was brought to a stop in Huntingdon, where Mr Williams was arrested.
She told the Commons that Cambridgeshire Police has reported itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) over other linked incidents.
Mr Williams has been charged with a further count of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article in relation to an offence in London on Saturday morning.
"For now, there is little I can say about this man and his past, beyond confirming that he is a British national, and was born in this country," Mahmood said.
"I know this House, and the public, will have many unanswered questions today about who this attacker was and about the events that led up to the attack.
"Those questions will be answered, but it will take time – the police and prosecutors must be allowed to do their work."
Home Secretary has hailed the train worker who defended passengers from an attack
16:36 , Rebecca WhittakerHome Secretary Shabana Mahmood has hailed the train worker who defended passengers from an attack on board an East Coast mainline train on Saturday night as a “hero”.
Speaking in the Commons Ms Mahmood paid tribute to the actions of passengers, the train crew and emergency workers after the attack as the train passed through Cambridgeshire.
She also sent her thoughts to the victims.
Ms Mahmood said: “I would also like to pay tribute to the breathtaking bravery of those on the train itself, including the heroic acts of the passengers and train crew who intercepted the attacker. I would like to draw particular attention to one member of the onboard crew, who ran towards danger, confronting the attacker for a sustained period of time, and stopped his advance through the train.
“He put himself in harm’s way, suffered grievous injuries as a result, and remains in hospital today, in a critical but stable condition.
“On Saturday, he went to work to do his job. Today, he is a hero and forever will be.”
Recap: PM rules out airport style scanners in train stations
16:30 , Rebecca WhittakerThe Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Installing airport style scanners in train stations would not be "proportionate or practical", the prime minister has said, arguing it is "important to strike a balance between the impact on the rail network and passengers' journeys".
While Sir Keir Starmer's official spokesperson said the government "takes all acts of crime extremely seriously on our railways and on our public transport network", he added: "It's important to strike a balance between the impact on the rail network and passengers' journeys.
"It wouldn’t be proportionate or practical to introduce airport style screening for all passengers - it would come at a huge cost and could bring the flow of passengers to a halt.
"Incidents like Saturday are mercifully rare, on the whole millions of passengers carry out their journeys in safety every day thanks in large part to the careful work of rail network staff who ensure their safety in terms of travel, safe journeys but clearly this is an incident too many".
The spokesperson also said the government supports a wider use of facial recognition saying: "Every officer should feel confident in using this core power where needed."
Huntingdon station has reopened and a normal service is resuming
16:23 , Rebecca WhittakerHuntingdon station, which was closed following the stabbing attacks on Saturday evening, has now reopened and trains will making scheduled stops, National Rail has said.
The first trains to stop will be:
- 15:54 from Peterborough to Horsham (16:10 from Huntingdon)
- 13:55 from Horsham to Peterborough (16:20 from Huntingdon)
Scunthorpe United defender was slashed across the bicep and has had to have an operation
16:15 , Rebecca WhittakerScunthorpe United defender Jonathan Gjoshe was slashed across the bicep and has had to have an operation in hospital.
The 22-year-old’s injuries were not life-threatening, but he remains in hospital, the club said.
“Scunthorpe United can confirm registered player Jonathan Gjoshe was one of the victims affected by the shocking attack on an LNER train bound for London on Saturday evening,” a club statement said.
“We can confirm that Jonathan sustained non-life-threatening injuries as a result of the attack, but currently remains in hospital.
“Due to the ongoing investigations taking place, we are currently unable to update further.
“Everyone at the club, from the board, management and his teammates, along with all staff behind the scenes, sends our heartfelt well wishes to Jonathan for a full recovery, which is also extended to all the victims on board the train.”
Pictured: Train stabbing attack suspect
16:00 , Rebecca WhittakerThe train stabbing suspect has now been pictured.
Anthony Williams, 32, has been charged with ten counts of attempted murder, one count of actual bodily harm and one count of possession of bladed article following the attacks on the LNER service to London King’s Cross on Saturday evening.
Why security cannot be meaningfully improved on trains
15:45 , Rebecca WhittakerThe Independent’s travel correspondent Simon Calder reports...
“Passengers will see a high-visibility presence of officers at stations and on trains throughout today who are there to reassure the public.”
So said the transport secretary, Heidi Alexander, the day after a marauder armed with a knife attacked passengers and crew on an LNER train from Yorkshire to London.
I checked several terminals in the capital on Sunday. British Transport Police and “Station Response Officers” were, indeed, much in evidence, augmented by the Metropolitan. You can expect the heightened visibility to continue until approximately Tuesday. These staff have been drafted from other duties and will very soon return to those obligations. There is no secret force of police waiting to step up to the platform.
What are the three additional knife-related incidents police are investigating?
15:30 , Rebecca WhittakerThe stabbing of a 14-year-old boy and two reports of a knifeman seen at a barbers in Peterborough are being investigated as part of the police probe into a mass stabbing on a high speed train.
Cambridgeshire police said that the teenager was non-fatally injured at 7.10pm on Friday, before a man with a knife was seen at a barbers in Fletton 15 minutes later, although this was only reported to police two hours later.
A second report of a knifeman was made at 9.25am the following morning when he was still at the scene, but when police arrived 18 minutes later they could not find him.
Watch: Former BTP chief constable hopes a broader review will begin on train safety after Huntingdon attack
15:15 , Rebecca WhittakerRecap: What we know about the attack
15:00 , Rebecca Whittaker- The attack began shortly after the London-bound train left Peterborough on Saturday night, causing panic as passengers fled through carriages or barricaded themselves in toilets.
- Eleven people were hospitalised after the attack. One, a member of LNER staff who tried to stop the attack, remains in a ‘critical but stable’ condition, while five others have since been discharged.
- Anthony Williams, 32, has been charged with ten counts of attempted murder
- He appeared at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on Monday and was remanded in custody until a hearing at Cambridge Crown Court on December 1.
- Huntingdon station itself remains closed, but the rail line has reopened and trains are able to pass through on their way to London
- A 35-year-old man from London who was also arrested at the scene has been released with no further action.
- Police are understood to be investigating all circumstances, including whether mental health was a factor, but it is not believed to have been a terrorist incident.
- Separately, Williams is charged with one count of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article over an incident at Pontoon Dock DLR station in London in the early hours of Saturday, where a victim suffered facial injuries after being attacked with a knife.
- A 14-year-old boy was stabbed in Peterborough on Friday which was one of three knife-related incidents in the city believed to be linked to the Huntingdon train stabbings suspect, Cambridgeshire Police said.
It’s not just on Britain’s trains that I no longer feel safe
14:45 , Rebecca WhittakerOn the same evening as the Huntingdon train knife attack, I watched a group of kids at a major railway station chanting ‘Rule Britannia’ and shoving strangers, says Victoria Richards.
Following a spate of unprovoked stabbings, and with groups hellbent on stirring up racial tensions, I’m starting to fear the worst for our country.
It’s not just on Britain’s trains that I no longer feel safe
Pictured: Armed police officers patrol the St Pancras International train station, in London
14:30 , Rebecca Whittaker
Anthony Williams: Everything we know about Huntingdon train stabbing suspect
14:15 , Rebecca Whittaker
Police says three knife-related incidents linked to the Huntingdon train attack suspect
14:08 , Rebecca WhittakerCambridgeshire Police said three knife-related incidents linked to the Huntingdon train attack suspect happened on Friday and Saturday.
In a statement, the force said: “We are aware of three incidents that occurred in Peterborough on Friday evening (31 October) and Saturday morning (1 November).
“The first incident of a man with a knife at a barbers in Fletton happened at 7.25pm on Friday but was reported to us at 9.10pm – two hours after the incident occurred.
“At the time of reporting the man was no longer there and had not returned, so we did not send officers, but a crime was raised.
“The second incident was reported to us at 9.25am on Saturday again by the barbers in Fletton while the man was still at the scene. Officers were deployed to the location and arrived within 18 minutes.
“Upon searching the area, officers were unable to locate the man or identify him and a crime was raised.
“There was also a third incident that police also believe may be linked which also happened on Friday 31 October at 7.10pm, where a 14-year-old was stabbed by a man with a knife in the city centre. They were taken to Peterborough City Hospital with minor injuries and were later discharged.
“The offender had left the scene when the call was made and despite a search of the area by officers and a police dog, the offender was not identified. A crime was raised and an investigation commenced, with scenes of crime attending.
“We are currently reviewing all incidents in the timeframe to understand whether there were any further potential offences.
“British Transport Police retain primacy for the overall investigation, which will include these three incidents.
“We voluntarily referred ourselves to the IOPC for independent scrutiny of these incidents, as is standard practice in these cases.”
14-year-old boy was stabbed in Peterborough on Friday
14:03 , Rebecca WhittakerA 14-year-old boy was stabbed in Peterborough on Friday which was one of three knife-related incidents in the city believed to be linked to the Huntingdon train stabbings suspect, Cambridgeshire Police said.
Watch: Train moved from Huntingdon station after mass stabbing
14:00 , Rebecca WhittakerAttacker victim tells of how he defended himself with nothing but his fists
13:51 , Rebecca WhittakerPassenger on the train Stephen Creen, 61, was stabbed six times, after he confronted the attacker armed with nothing but his fists.
The Nottingham Forest supporter said he was returning back from a match when he heard a carriage door open and people running and shouting “run, run, run, man’s got knife”.
“They had all packed into the buffet car and the toilets and locked the doors, as you do, and so that was it for me,” he told the Telegraph.
He recalls the knife attacker getting closer towards him and he responded by trying to punch the attacker.
“He had a great big oversized kitchen knife – it was as if it was a Japanese sword or something. He came towards me and said to me, ‘Do you want to die?’. That’s what he said,” he told the newspaper.
Mr Creen said he was stabbed in his left hand, three times in his back, once on his bottom and twice in his head.
He crawled into an empty toilet and locked the door before the train arrived at Huntingdon station.
Alleged attacker is also charged with attempted murder and possession of a bladed article, for a separate incident
13:40 , Rebecca WhittakerAnthony Williams, 32, appeared at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on Monday charged with 10 counts of attempted murder after several people were stabbed on an LNER train from Doncaster to London on Saturday.
Separately, Williams is charged with one count of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article over an incident at Pontoon Dock DLR station in London in the early hours of Saturday, where a victim suffered facial injuries after being attacked with a knife.
He allegedly used a “large kitchen knife” in both attacks, according to court documents.
Scunthorpe United sends 'heartfelt well wishes' to player Jonathan Gjoshe
13:35 , Rebecca WhittakerScunthorpe United player Jonathan Gjoshe was one of the victims affected by the train attack on Saturday, the club has confirmed.
In a post on X the club said he sustained non-life-threatening injuries as a result of the attack, but currently remains in hospital.
The post said: “Everyone at the club, from the Board, management and his teammates, along with all staff behind the scenes, sends our heartfelt well wishes to Jonathan for a full recovery, which is also extended to all the victims on board the train.”
🙏 𝐂𝐋𝐔𝐁 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓: 𝐉𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐆𝐣𝐨𝐬𝐡𝐞 👉 https://t.co/Ja6WOMNgKX
— Scunthorpe United FC (@SUFCOfficial) November 3, 2025
Scunthorpe United can confirm registered player Jonathan Gjoshe was one of the victims affected by the shocking attack on an LNER train bound for London on Saturday evening.
We can confirm… pic.twitter.com/x8Lmnr9VWz
Scunthorpe United defender Jonathan Gjoshe is in hospital with non-life-threatening injuries
13:31 , Rebecca WhittakerScunthorpe United defender Jonathan Gjoshe is in hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after the mass stabbing on a train in Cambridgeshire on Saturday, the club said.
Watch: Huntington train stabbing: What security is there on trains?
13:30 , Rebecca WhittakerAlleged attacker remanded in custody until a hearing in December
13:20 , Rebecca WhittakerAnthony Williams, 32, appeared at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on Monday charged with 10 counts of attempted murder after several people were stabbed on an LNER train from Doncaster to London on Saturday.
Williams, who wore a grey tracksuit and wore handcuffs as he stood flanked by four security officers in the dock, is also charged with one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
He was not asked to enter pleas and when asked his address mumbled “no fixed abode”.
He was remanded in custody until a hearing at Cambridge Crown Court on December 1.
TfL assisting police with investigation
13:10 , Athena StavrouTransport for London (TfL) are assisting emergency services in their investigation following an incident on the DLR near Pontoon Dock in the early hours of Saturday.
Anthony Williams, 32, has been charged with attempted murder in relation to the attack at around 12:46am.
He has also been charged with ten counts of attempted murder for an attack later on Saturday evening on a London-bound train.
A TfL spokesperson said: “Our staff have been assisting the emergency services following an incident on the DLR near Pontoon Dock DLR station in the early hours of Saturday morning.
“We now know that the man charged with carrying out this attack has also been charged with 10 counts of attempted murder following a police investigation into an incident on a LNER train from Doncaster to London.
“These are extremely distressing incidents, and our thoughts are with the victims and colleagues affected. We are supporting the British Transport Police who are leading on this investigation.”
Cambridgeshire Police referral to IOPC 'does not meet criteria'
13:06 , Athena StavrouCambridgeshire Constabulary contacted the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) over Saturday’s attack, but the watchdog has found their actions did not meet the criteria for a referral.
An IOPC spokesperson said: “We were contacted by Cambridgeshire Constabulary on Sunday 2 November about an incident on a train from Peterborough to London where several members of the public sustained serious injuries. Our thoughts are with all those affected.
“The force made a referral today (3 November), but we have informed them it did not meet the criteria for a valid referral as there was no indication of direct or indirect police contact with any of the people seriously injured in the incident.
“We have advised the force that if any conduct matters are identified for any officers or staff, then this should be referred to us.”
All death or serious injury (DSI) matters - where a person dies or sustains a serious injury following direct or indirect contact with the police - must be recorded and referred to the IOPC.
However, it is understood prior contact with a person suspected of causing a death or serious injury is unlikely to meet the criteria for a DSI matter.
PM rules out airport style scanners in train stations
13:01 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Installing airport style scanners in train stations would not be "proportionate or practical", the prime minister has said, arguing it is "important to strike a balance between the impact on the rail network and passengers' journeys".
While Sir Keir Starmer's official spokesperson said the government "takes all acts of crime extremely seriously on our railways and on our public transport network", he added: "It's important to strike a balance between the impact on the rail network and passengers' journeys.
"It wouldn’t be proportionate or practical to introduce airport style screening for all passengers - it would come at a huge cost and could bring the flow of passengers to a halt.
"Incidents like Saturday are mercifully rare, on the whole millions of passengers carry out their journeys in safety every day thanks in large part to the careful work of rail network staff who ensure their safety in terms of travel, safe journeys but clearly this is an incident too many".
The spokesperson also said the government supports a wider use of facial recognition saying: "Every officer should feel confident in using this core power where needed."
Alleged attacker remanded in custody at court
12:19 , Athena StavrouAnthony Williams, 32, has just appeared at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court.
Williams, of Peterborough has been charged with 10 counts of attempted murder over the mass stabbing on a London-bound train on Saturday.
He was remanded in custody during the short hearing.
What security is in place on trains?
12:02 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s travel correspondent Simon Calder reports:
CCTV cameras are standard onboard trains, but passengers are especially vulnerable to attackers while travelling at 125mph in a confined space.
Currently the only pre-boarding check for passengers happens at London St Pancras International, with all Eurostar passengers and their baggage checked before departure to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam. This is because the Channel Tunnel is perceived to be a key terrorist target.
For trains within the UK, British Transport Police patrol trains and stations, but the force has fewer than 3,000 officers – on a network with five million journeys a day. The BTP says patrols will be stepped up in the next few days.
Transport secretary Heidi Alexander said passengers would see "a high visibility presence" of police at railway stations and on trains on Sunday "to reassure the public".
Rail firms will consider increasing the number of security staff on trains. There are likely to be calls for airport-style security checks before boarding trains. But given the sheer number of travellers and the constraints at stations, that seems impractical.
Victoria Richards: It’s not just on Britain’s trains that I no longer feel safe
11:46 , Athena StavrouOn the same evening as the Huntingdon train knife attack, I watched a group of kids at a major railway station chanting ‘Rule Britannia’ and shoving strangers, says Victoria Richards.
Following a spate of unprovoked stabbings, and with groups hellbent on stirring up racial tensions, I’m starting to fear the worst for our country:
It’s not just on Britain’s trains that I no longer feel safe
Full statement from the Crown Prosecution Service
11:32 , Athena StavrouTracy Easton, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Direct, said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has decided to prosecute Anthony Williams with 10 counts of attempted murder, one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and 1 count of possession of a bladed article – following a police investigation into an incident on a LNER train from Doncaster to London on Saturday 01 November 2025.
"Our team of out-of-hours prosecutors worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to trial and it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.
“We worked closely with British Transport Police to review a huge volume of evidence including CCTV. The number of charges will be kept under review as this continues to progress.
“We know the devastating impact the events on Saturday’s train has had and how the incident shocked the entire country. Our thoughts remain with all those effected.”
What other incident has the suspect been accused of?
11:16 , Athena StavrouAnthony Williams, 32, has been charged following the attacks on the LNER service from Doncaster to London King’s Cross on Saturday evening, British Transport Police said.
He is also charged in connection to another incident in the early hours of the same day.
He has been charged with another count of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article in connection with an attack on a train at Pontoon Dock DLR station in east London.
A victim suffered facial injuries after being attacked with a knife.
Pictured: Increased police presence at London stations after attack
11:03 , Athena Stavrou.jpeg)
Defence secretary praises 'swift' police response
10:50 , Athena StavrouDefence Secretary John Healey has praised the “swift” response of police officers as a man was charged over a mass stabbing on a busy train in Cambridgeshire.
Speaking in Uxbridge, west London, on Monday, he said: “I think the response of the emergency services was swift. The launch of the investigation was swift.
“Quite rightly, the reports to the public on the early assessments and the conclusion, giving the public as much information as the police could as soon as they could, was quite right and this is the latest development in that.
“And if the police have got more to say, they’ll let us know.”
Asked about Kemi Badenoch’s comments that the attack shows there is “clearly something going wrong with our society”, Mr Healey said: “I don’t see that that helps anyone in the situation of coming to terms with that horrific attack on Saturday night.
“I’d rather she talked about the extraordinary response of the train crew, the passengers, the emergency services, all of whom responded in quite a heroic way to what was a very serious attack which could have been so much worse.”
Recap: What we know about the attack
10:38 , Athena Stavrou- The attack began shortly after the London-bound train left Peterborough on Saturday night, causing panic as passengers fled through carriages or barricaded themselves in toilets.
- Eleven people were hospitalised after the attack. One, a member of LNER staff who tried to stop the attack, remains in a ‘critical but stable’ condition, while five others have since been discharged.
- Anthony Williams, 32, has been charged with ten counts of attempted murder and will appear in court on Monday.
- Huntingdon station itself remains closed, but the rail line has reopened and trains are able to pass through on their way to London
- A 35-year-old man from London who was also arrested at the scene has been released with no further action.
- Police are understood to be investigating all circumstances, including whether mental health was a factor, but it is not believed to have been a terrorist incident.
Watch: Train moved from Huntingdon station after mass stabbing
10:24 , Athena StavrouWilliams to appear in court today
10:12 , Athena StavrouAnthony Williams, 32, from Peterborough has been charged after a mass stabbing attack on a London-bound train on Saturday.
Williams, from Langford Road, Peterborough, will appear at Peterborough Magistrates on Monday morning, police said.
We will bring you the latest updates here.
Man charged also accused of separate London attack earlier that day
09:40 , Athena StavrouThe man who has been charged in connection with a mass stabbing attack on a London-bound train on Saturday has also been accused of another attack in London earlier in the day.
Anthony Williams, 32, from Peterborough, has been charged with 10 counts of attempted murder, one count of actual bodily harm and one count of possession of bladed article, British Transport Police said.
He is also charged with another count of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article in connection to an incident at Pontoon Dock DLR station in the early hours of the same day.
Police name man charged after stabbing
09:12 , Athena StavrouPolice have named the man who has been charged following the mass stabbing on a London-bound train on Saturday.
Anthony Williams, 32, from Peterborough, has been charged with 10 counts of attempted murder, one count of actual bodily harm and one count of possession of bladed article, British Transport Police said.
Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Cundy said: “The criminal investigation and support for the victims is a priority for British Transport Police.”
“Our investigation is also looking at other possible linked offences.
“Following the charges authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service I would stress the importance of not saying or publishing anything which might jeopardise or prejudice ongoing criminal proceedings, or the integrity of the investigation.”
Train moved from Huntingdon
09:07 , Athena StavrouThe LNER train where the mass stabbing attack took place on Friday has been moved from Huntingdon station.
According to the BBC, the train moved shortly before 8:45am.
Passengers on the train describe horror
08:47 , Athena StavrouSeveral passengers on the train where a mass stabbing took place on Friday have described how the incident unfolded.
Alistair Day, who had travelled to watch Nottingham Forest’s 2-2 draw with Manchester United, was by the buffet car when he thought a Halloween prank was unfolding.
He told the BBC: “Then they’re getting louder and louder, any sorts of people with blood on them [appeared] and I thought, ‘Oh, bloody hell, this is not good’.”
Thomas McLachlan, 19, from London, who was on the train returning from a trip to Newcastle, described how people were leaving the train “drenched in blood”.
He told the BBC: “I saw loads of other passengers getting off absolutely drenched in blood.
“There was one man clutching a white sheet to his head who looked like he was stabbed twice....really severe injuries.”
Dayna Arnold, 48, said she begged the knifeman to spare her life as he stood over her with a 6 inch blade after she was separated from her partner in the panic.
“I was running and when I looked back I saw the knifeman running after me,” the project manager told The Mirror.
“I fell down and I just said, ‘Please don’t kill me’. Something shifted in his face and he just carried on.”
Minister promises a review of security measures at stations and temporary increase in police patrols
08:32 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Transport secretary Heidi Alexander has promised the government will conduct a review of security measures on train lines in the wake of Saturday's knife attack, as well as increasing visible police patrols at stations over the next few days.
Challenged on whether a temporary increase to patrols would make a long term difference to passenger safety, Ms Alexander insisted that "public transport generally is a low-crime environment".
Speaking to Sky News, she added: "This incident was absolutely horrific on Saturday night, and I don’t want to take away from that in any way – but generally, our trains are some of the most safest forms of public transport anywhere in the world.
“For every one million passenger journeys that are made, there are 27 crimes.”
The transport secretary continued: “Now for me, one crime is one crime too many, so we will after this review all of our security measures because that is the right thing to do.”
Transport secretary pays tribute to 'incredible bravery' of train staff
08:20 , Athena StavrouTransport secretary Heidi Alexander paid tribute to the "incredible bravery" of the member of train staff injured while trying to protect passengers during Saturday's mass stabbing.
Speaking to Sky News, Ms Alexander praised the “incredible bravery of the train staff, the train driver who got that train into Huntingdon station, the Network Rail controller, the signaller who got that train to a place of safety”.
“Most of all, I would like to say thank you to the emergency services and the one individual who is still critically ill in hospital, who is stable I’m pleased to say, but he went into work that morning to work on that train service, to serve passengers and he put himself in harm’s way.
“He went in to do his job and he left work a hero. And there are people who are alive today because of his actions and his bravery.”
Recap: Police identify 32-year-old as lone suspect
07:58 , Athena StavrouA 32-year-old man who was arrested in connection with the Huntingdon train knife attack is now being treated as the only suspect, British Transport Police (BTP) said.
The man, from Peterborough, boarded the train at Peterborough station.
Another man, a 35-year-old from London, has been released with no further action, BTP said in a statement.
The force said police have established that he was not involved with the attack.
Police also confirmed that a knife was recovered by officers at the scene.
Suspect was not known to counter-terror police
07:45 , Athena StavrouTransport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the suspect in the mass stabbing on Saturday’s 6.25pm rail service from Doncaster to London King’s Cross was not known to counter-terrorism police or MI5.
She told Times Radio: “I’m not going to speculate about his motivations or the events that led up to the incident.”
She added: “What I can tell you is that he was not known to counter-terrorism police, he was not known to the security services, and he was not known to the Prevent programme.”
Asked if the suspect was known to mental health services, she said: “I’m not in a position to share any more information about the individual, I’m afraid.”
Injured train staff member 'critical but stable'
07:34 , Athena StavrouThe member of train staff who was seriously injured in the attack is “critical but stable”, a minister has said.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander told Times Radio: “There are five people still in hospital, one of whom is the member of train crew… who this morning is in a critical but stable condition.
“Some of the other people who had been taken to hospital on Saturday night have now been discharged.”
Watch: Simon Calder: How Huntingdon train knife attack is impacting the rail network
07:00 , Rebecca WhittakerWhat we know about the mass stabbing on a London-bound train
06:30 , Maroosha MuzaffarA 32-year-old British man from Peterborough remains in custody after a mass stabbing on a London-bound train left several passengers injured and one rail staff member fighting for his life.
Police said the suspect was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after armed officers intercepted the train at Huntingdon station on Saturday evening.
The attack began shortly after the train left Peterborough, causing panic as passengers fled through carriages or barricaded themselves in toilets.
Initially, two men were detained, but a 35-year-old British national of Caribbean descent was later released with no further action.
Authorities said there is no evidence the incident was terror-related, describing it as an isolated act.
Detectives are examining the suspect’s background and movements before the attack.
A railway staff member, hailed as “heroic” by police, remains in critical condition after trying to stop the assailant.
What security is there on trains and which services are disrupted today?
06:00 , Rebecca Whittaker
What security is there on trains and which services are disrupted after Huntingdon?
Huntingdon station to stay closed on Monday, but LNER plans ‘normal service’ on intercity routes
05:38 , Simon CalderNational Rail issued an early morning update on disruption on Monday after Saturday’s knife attack on a train travelling from Doncaster to London.
The train was diverted to Huntingdon, where the emergency services helped passengers and crew.
The LNER train remains a crime scene that police are investigating.
Passengers are warned: “The emergency services are continuing to deal with a major incident between Hitchin and Peterborough. Whilst they carry out their work some lines are still closed.
“Great Northern and Thameslink services will not call at Huntingdon.”
LNER posted on X (formerly Twitter): “We expect to run a normal service today. We still recommend checking your journey closer to the time, using our journey checker.“If you have an Advance Single ticket [for Monday] then please travel on your booked service.”
ℹ️#LNERUpdate We expect to run a normal service today. We still recommend checking your journey closer to the time, using our journey checker. If you have an Advance Single ticket then please travel on your booked service. Travel information updates: https://t.co/o0hAZZ3XYh
— London North Eastern Railway (@LNER) November 3, 2025
The train operator says unused LNER tickets for Saturday or Sunday, 1-2 November, are valid for travel up to and including Friday 7 November.
“You don’t need to change or amend your ticket, but LNER recommend making a seat reservation before you travel,” the rail firm says.
Weekend engineering work in the York area has now ended, meaning trains can now run between London, northeast England and Scotland once again.
Eyewitness describes moment the attack unfolded
05:30 , Maroosha MuzaffarAlistair Day, who had travelled to watch Nottingham Forest’s 2-2 draw with Manchester United, was on the train when the attack unfolded.
He was quoted as saying by the BBC: “I was just by the buffet car. It was odd. I was at the end of the carriage, all these kids were running up and I thought it was like a prank - Halloween or students.”
Day was travelling back to Hertford.
“Then they’re getting louder and louder, any sorts of people with blood on them [appeared] and I thought, ‘Oh, bloody hell, this is not good’.”
Taxi driver says he witnessed knifeman asking the police to 'kill him'
05:00 , Rebecca WhittakerTaxi driver Viorel Turturica told ITV News he was parked next to the station when he heard a commotion from a man he believes was the suspect.
“He was holding the knife straight and asking the police to kill him,” Mr Turturica said.
“He repeated three or four times ‘kill me, kill me, kill me’.”
