Two British nationals arrested on suspicion of attempted murder over Huntingdon train stabbings
Two people are suffering from life-threatening injuries
Last updated 2nd Nov 2025
Two men have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder over the Huntingdon train stabbings.
British Transport Police say they are a 32-year-old black British national and a 35-year-old British national of Caribbean descent.
Two people also remain in a life-threatening condition after the mass stabbing on the train in Cambridgeshire last night.
Superintendent John Loveless told reporters at the scene in Huntingdon: "It's a shocking incident and first and foremost, my thoughts are with the family and friends those who have been affected and those who are injured.
"Approximately 7.42pm yesterday evening, there were calls to the police service in relation to multiple stabbings which took place on board a train service.
"The train departed Doncaster at 6.25pm, and was en route to London King's Cross Station.
"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.
"Two men were brought into police custody, where they remain this morning.
"I can tell you that these are: the first male, a 32-year-old male, a black British national and a 35-year-old man, a British national of Caribbean descent, they were both arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
"As stated, they remain this morning in separate police stations for questioning."
Superintendent John Loveless said counter-terrorism police had initially supported the operation but the incident was now not being treated as terrorism-related.
He said: "British Transport Police declared a major incident yesterday, and counter-terrorism policing were initially supporting our investigation.
"However, at this stage, there is nothing to suggest that this is a terrorist incident.
"This is a British Transport Police investigation, and we continue to work to establish at pace, the full circumstances and the motivations that have led to this incident.
"At this early stage, it would not be appropriate to speculate on the cause of this incident."
The station remains closed, but trains are expected to be passing through the station shortly.
Passengers will see a high visibility presence of police officers at stations and on trains throughout today who are there to reassure the public and respond to any concerns.
Anyone with any information is being urged to contact BTP by texting 61016 quoting reference 663 of 01/11/25.
Passengers are said to have hidden in toilets to escape a man with a large knife - believed to have later been shot with a Taser by police.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has described the incident as "deeply concerning".
The King, 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 on board 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."
Defence Secretary John Healey says the UK's terror threat level remains unchanged at 'substantial'.
Rail union TSSA has said it is deeply shocked and saddened by the horrifying incident.
The union said its thoughts were with the victims, their families, and all those affected by the attack. It also paid tribute to the swift and professional response of the emergency services, including the British Transport Police, armed police units, paramedics, and rail staff, whose courage and composure undoubtedly saved lives.
TSSA - which represents rail and transport workers across the UK - says it is all too aware of the growing risks faced by those on the front line of our transport system.
In a statement online, they said: "Today the union reiterates the urgent need for preventive measures, heightened security, and zero-tolerance towards aggression on our transport system. No one should face aggression simply for doing their job or using public transport."
Commenting, TSSA General Secretary Maryam Eslamdoust, said:“This is an appalling attack on passengers and rail workers alike. Our immediate priority is for the welfare of the injured and all those traumatised by what has happened.
“Transport networks must be safe for everyone, both the travelling public and the staff who serve them. We call on the operator and government to act swiftly to review security, to support the affected workers, and to ensure nothing like this happens again.”
John Millington is from the RMT union: "We are horrified by the mass stabbing attack on an LNER train last night.
"Our thoughts remain with the train crew and passengers who were either at work or going about their business on a busy Saturday night during this awful incident.
"It is important we allow the emergency services and the authorities to establish the full facts before commenting further."