UK train stabbing attack – how it unfolded and what we know now

Police have confirmed that one suspect is in custody following a brutal stabbing spree on a train in the United Kingdom. A member of the train staff, hailed as a hero for protecting passengers, remains in a life-threatening condition.

A forensic officer was seen inspecting the London North Eastern Railway (LNER) train at Huntingdon Station near Cambridge, where the horrific incident took place on Saturday, November 1, 2025.

How the Attack Unfolded

The train departed Doncaster at 16:25 GMT, heading to London’s King’s Cross. After leaving Peterborough, passengers began calling emergency services, reporting multiple stabbings on board. Witnesses described scenes of panic as passengers—some bleeding—rushed down the aisles to escape the attacker, reportedly armed with a large knife.

The British Transport Police (BTP) received the first emergency call at 19:42 GMT. The train made an emergency stop at Huntingdon Station, where armed officers quickly boarded and detained two suspects. Ten people were rushed to nearby hospitals, while another sought treatment independently.

By Sunday night, police confirmed that one victim—a train staff member who intervened to protect others—remained in critical condition. His bravery has been widely praised by police and government officials, including Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, who said his actions “saved lives.”

The ‘Hero’ Who Stopped a Worse Tragedy

CCTV footage reportedly shows the LNER staff member shielding passengers from the assailant. The train’s driver, Andrew Johnson, a Royal Navy veteran from Peterborough, stopped the train during the attack. He told ITV News, “I was only doing my job—it was my colleague who was the brave one.”

The Suspect

Police later identified the suspect as Anthony Williams, 32, from Peterborough. He has been charged with 10 counts of attempted murder, one count of actual bodily harm, and possession of a bladed weapon. Authorities also linked him to an earlier attempted murder in East London that same day.

Another man, aged 35, was released without charge after being found uninvolved. Police said the motive remains unclear but confirmed the attack is not being treated as terrorism.

Rumours and Online Misinformation

Despite police clarification, online conspiracy theories have circulated, falsely claiming the attack was terror-related. Far-right social media accounts have spread unfounded claims about the attacker’s background, prompting government officials to urge the public to avoid speculation.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the incident as “deeply concerning,” while Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood called for restraint and respect for ongoing investigations.

Knife Crime in the UK

The attack has reignited national concern about rising knife crime. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), knife-related offences in England and Wales rose by 54% between 2016 and 2024. Experts attribute this surge to issues such as poverty, lack of mental health support, and social exclusion.

In response, the UK government recently passed legislation banning the sale and possession of dangerous blades like ninja and samurai swords. Meanwhile, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has pledged increased police funding to combat knife crime and related offences.

Recent figures suggest a slight improvement: serious knife offences fell by 1% in the year ending March 2025, and by 19% in London during the second quarter of the year.

The Ongoing Investigation

Police continue to investigate Williams’s motive and the sequence of events leading to the attack. The heroic actions of the LNER staff member and other train crew are being widely recognized as having prevented a greater tragedy