Man charged after mass stabbing on train in Cambridgeshire

A man has been charged after a mass stabbing on a high-speed train in Cambridgeshire in which 11 people were injured.

Anthony Williams, 32, from Peterborough, has been charged with 11 counts of attempted murder, one count of actual bodily harm and one count of possession of a bladed article, British Transport Police said.

The force said on Sunday morning that two men had been arrested but by Sunday night one of them – a 35-year-old man from London – had been released with no further action. Police said he was not involved in the attack.

It followed a major incident on Saturday evening on the 6.25pm service from Doncaster to London King’s Cross, which resulted in the train being diverted for an emergency stop at Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire about an hour into the journey.

BTP said that, within eight minutes of officers being called, the two men were arrested on the train, one believed to have been shot by police with a Taser after brandishing a knife.

Police have said there is nothing to suggest the incident was terrorism and have asked the public to come forward with information.

Eleven people were treated in hospital, with four of them later discharged. Two patients remained in a life-threatening condition, police told a press conference on Sunday morning.

Supt John Loveless told reporters at the scene in Huntingdon on Sunday: “At approximately 7.42pm yesterday evening, there were calls to the police service in relation to multiple stabbings which took place onboard a train service.

“Officers immediately attended Huntington station alongside paramedics, where armed police officers from Cambridgeshire police boarded the train and arrested two people within eight minutes of the 999 call being made.”

The incident prompted a surge in police officers being deployed across the rail network until at least the end of Monday, with disruption to trains between King’s Cross and Peterborough, and the closure of Huntingdon station also expected to last until at least then.

King Charles, in a message released by Buckingham Palace, said: “My wife and I were truly appalled and shocked to hear of the dreadful knife attack that took place onboard a train in Cambridgeshire last night.

“Our deepest sympathy and thoughts are with all those affected, and their loved ones. We are particularly grateful to the emergency services for their response to this awful incident.”

The home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, paid tribute to the bravery of staff and passengers on the train and confirmed the attack was not being treated as terrorism.

She wrote on social media: “After last night’s horrific attack, my thoughts today are with the victims, their friends and family.

“My deepest thanks go to the British Transport Police, Cambridgeshire police, Cambridgeshire fire and rescue service and the East of England ambulance service. They responded rapidly, with the utmost professionalism and saved lives.

“I would also like to pay tribute to the exceptional bravery of staff and passengers on the train.”