Cambridgeshire stabbing: 32-year-old charged for knife attack on London-bound train; faces 11 attempted murder counts

A 32-year-old man from Peterborough has been charged after a mass stabbing on a high-speed train in Cambridgeshire, eastern England which left 11 people injured.

Anthony Williams faces 11 counts of attempted murder, one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and two counts of possession of a bladed article, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said, as reported by the Guardian. Two victims remain in life-threatening condition following the attack.



The attack occurred on Saturday evening, aboard the 7.04 pm London North Eastern Railway (LNER) service from Doncaster to London King’s Cross.


The train made an emergency stop at Huntingdon station after reports of multiple stabbings. Armed officers from the British Transport Police (BTP) and Cambridgeshire Police arrived within minutes and arrested two men.

One of them, a 35-year-old from London, was later released without charge.

Supt John Loveless of the BTP briefed reporters about the incident.

“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.”

Authorities confirmed that the attack is not being treated as terrorism, but investigations are ongoing. Eleven victims were taken to hospital, with four later discharged. Police said two remain in critical condition.

Tracy Easton, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Direct, said prosecutors had worked overnight to file the charges.

“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,” she said.

The attack prompted an increased police presence across the national rail network, with disruptions continuing between King’s Cross and Peterborough through Monday.

Messages of sympathy and support poured in following the tragedy. In a statement from Buckingham Palace, King Charles expressed his shock and condolences.

“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,” he said.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood also commended the emergency response and the courage of passengers.

“My deepest thanks go to the British Transport Police, Cambridgeshire Police, Fire and Rescue Service, and the East of England Ambulance Service. They responded rapidly, with the utmost professionalism, and saved lives,” she said.