Man Charged Over Cambridgeshire Train Stabbing

Published: 03 November 2025 | The English Chronicle Desk | The English Chronicle Online

A man has been charged following a horrific mass stabbing on a high-speed train in Cambridgeshire that left eleven people injured and sent shockwaves across the country.

Anthony Williams, 32, from Peterborough, faces 11 counts of attempted murder, one count of actual bodily harm, and one count of possessing a bladed article, according to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Tracy Easton, chief crown prosecutor for CPS Direct, said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has decided to prosecute Anthony Williams with 11 counts of attempted murder, one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and two counts of possession of a bladed article following a police investigation into an incident on a LNER train from Doncaster to London on Saturday 1 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 affected.”

British Transport Police (BTP) confirmed that two men had initially been arrested, but one – a 35-year-old from London – was released without charge after being found not to be involved.

The attack occurred on the 6.25pm LNER service from Doncaster to London King’s Cross. The train was forced to make an emergency stop at Huntingdon station in Cambridgeshire roughly an hour into its journey after passengers reported multiple stabbings.

Within eight minutes of the emergency call, armed police boarded the train and detained the suspect. One man was reportedly subdued with a stun gun after brandishing a knife.

Authorities said there is no evidence linking the attack to terrorism and urged witnesses to come forward with any further information.

Eleven victims were taken to hospital, four of whom have since been discharged. Two remain in life-threatening condition.

Superintendent John Loveless described the rapid response of officers: “At approximately 7.42pm yesterday evening, there were calls to the police service in relation to multiple stabbings onboard a train service. Officers immediately attended Huntingdon 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.”

Following the incident, extra police patrols were deployed across the rail network, with travel disruption expected between King’s Cross and Peterborough until at least Monday evening. Huntingdon station was temporarily closed as forensic teams worked through the night.

In a statement from Buckingham Palace, King Charles expressed his shock and sympathy: “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.”

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood also paid tribute to those involved in the emergency response. “After last night’s horrific attack, my thoughts today are with the victims, their friends and family,” she wrote on social media. “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.”