Two men born in Britain are suspected of carrying out the Huntingdon train knife attack which is not believed to be have been motivated by terrorism, police have said.
British Transport Police (BTP) said two people remain in a life-threatening condition following the bloody rampage on a high-speed train on Saturday evening.
Superintendent John Loveless said one suspect is a black British national and the other is a British national of Caribbean descent. Both men, aged 32 and 35, were born in the UK.
The force declared a major incident and said the pair were arrested after the 6.25pm train service from Doncaster to London King’s Cross was stopped at Huntingdon station
The train was heading from Doncaster to King’s Cross station in London.
It is believed the mass stabbings began shortly after the London North Eastern Railway service left Peterborough station.
Scroll down for the latest updates.
British national, 32, remains in custody on suspicion of attempted murder
18:13 , Anthony FranceOne of the two men who were arrested at the scene has been released with no further action.
A 35-year-old man who was arrested eight minutes after police were called at 7.42pm on Saturday was held after a report in good faith, BTP said, but officers have now confirmed that he was not involved.
The other man, a 32-year-old black British national, remains in custody on suspicion of attempted murder.
British Transport Police Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Cundy said: “Our investigation is moving at pace and we are confident we are not looking for anyone else in connection to the incident.
“As would be expected, specialist detectives are looking into the background of the suspect we have in custody and the events that led up to the attack.
“This was a horrific attack that has had a wide impact. My thoughts and those of everyone in British Transport Police are with those injured and their families – especially the brave member of rail staff whose family are being supported by specialist officers.
“Having viewed the CCTV from the train, the actions of the member of rail staff were nothing short of heroic and undoubtedly saved people’s lives.
“My thanks to the public for their patience while we continue our investigation at Huntingdon station. We hope that we will be able to support GTR in reopening the station soon.
“Anyone with information who hasn’t already spoken to police is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016 quoting reference 663 of 01/11/25.”
'Hero' train worker who saved many lives in Huntingdon rampage critical in hospital
18:02 , Anthony FranceA “hero” train worker remains in a life-threatening condition after the Huntingdon train knife attack, British Transport Police said.
The force said the person is a member of LNER rail staff who was on the train at the time and tried to stop the attacker.
“Detectives have reviewed the CCTV from the train and it is clear his actions were nothing short of heroic and undoubtedly saved many people’s lives,” BTP said in a statement.
London-based Nottingham Forest fans on train during Huntingdon mass stabbings
17:58 , Anthony FranceNottingham Forest supporters living in London were travelling on the LNER train when the Huntingdon stabbings happened, the football club said in a statement on X, as the owner commended the courage and selflessness of supporters who helped others on board.
The club said: “Many of our London-based supporters were travelling home on that train following our match at the City Ground, and our thoughts are very much with everyone caught up in such a distressing incident.
“The club is aware that many individuals demonstrated extraordinary bravery, which undoubtedly helped prevent even greater harm.
“The entire Nottingham Forest family stands firmly behind them as they recover from the events of yesterday.”
Nottingham Forest Football Club wishes to express its deepest concern and heartfelt sympathy to all those affected by the shocking attack on an LNER train bound for London yesterday evening.
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) November 2, 2025
Many of our London-based supporters were travelling home on that train following our…
Evangelos Marinakis, the club’s owner, added: “Everyone at Nottingham Forest is shocked and deeply saddened by what happened.
“The courage and selflessness shown by our supporters on that train represents the very best of humanity and the very best of our club’s community.
“We will make sure any supporter caught up in this incident receives whatever financial support they require to enable them to access the best possible medical care as they recover.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected.”
Train attacker told female passenger ‘The devil’s not going to win’ - report
17:54 , Anthony FranceA passenger reportedly cheated death after the attacker came at her with a knife during Saturday’s train rampage in Huntingdon.
Dayna Arnold, 48, was sat in the same train carriage as the attacker after boarding at Peterborough with her pal Andy Gray, 37.
She fell to the floor as other ran through the carriage when he started plunging his blade into “anyone he could find”, Ms Arnold said.
The site manager Dayna, from Bridlington, East Yorkshire, told The Sun: “I was going with the crowd but then I got knocked into some seats.
“I looked back and saw the knifeman running so I slid down to the floor. He came at me with the knife and I begged ‘Please don’t’.
“Then something shifted in his face and he just carried on. I feel very fortunate to still be alive.
“Then a minute or so later he came back through, looked at me again and said ‘the devil’s not going to win’ and continued on.
“I was waiting cause I could still hear him in the carriage. I heard the doors open and ran off the train.
“I saw him take off running and then minutes later police rushed past me and I saw him get Tasered by the taxi rank.”
Police officers search bins and bushes at Huntingdon railway station
16:18 , Anthony FrancePolice officers have been walking in a line looking at the ground in the car park at Huntingdon railway station.
The officers have also examined the bushes at the edge of the car park and looked inside a bin.
The station and car park in the Cambridgeshire town remains cordoned off.
RMT chief praises ‘bravery and professionalism’ of rail staff after Huntingdon train stabbings
15:28 , Sami QuadriRail, Maritime and Transport union general secretary Eddie Dempsey said: “Today I am spending time with RMT members working for LNER and our wider railway family.
“I won’t be doing any media interviews until the authorities have established the full facts of this horrific mass stabbing onboard an LNER train.
“I want to commend the professionalism, bravery and steadfastness of all the railway workers involved from the train crew to the driver and our members in operations who quickly assisted in diverting the King’s Cross-bound train into Huntingdon station, allowing the police and emergency services to take swift action.
“I will be seeking urgent meetings with Government, rail employers and police to ensure that we have the strongest possible support, resources and robust procedures in place to protect our members and the traveling public.”
Train driver praised for ‘incredible professionalism’ during Huntingdon stabbing attack
14:42 , Sami QuadriTravel expert Simon Calder told the BBC News channel about the safety procedures that came into play during last night’s stabbing attack on a train in Cambridgeshire.
He said the driver “managed to contact the control centre at Network Rail and get the train diverted onto the slow line”.
“That was absolutely crucial because this train was scheduled to be travelling through Huntingdon station on the tracks with no platform at 125mph,” Calder explained.
He added that the train “didn’t stop in the middle of nowhere, which would have been very difficult.”
Calder said the situation was handled in the “safest possible way” thanks to the “incredible professionalism from the driver and the police”.
He added that train drivers are trained to know how to take appropriate action in emergencies.
Extra police officers to be deployed across rail network
13:25 , Sami QuadriExtra police officers will be deployed across the rail network following the knife attack near Huntingdon, Government sources said.
They said a “surge” in police presence will take place until at least Tuesday, likely to be focused on major terminals such as London, Birmingham, York, Leeds and Manchester, as well as at Huntingdon.
The police officers are likely to be most visible in London and at Huntingdon, but will be deployed across as much of the rail network as possible.
There will also be a visible police presence on trains on the east coast mainline, with sources saying officers usually focus on stations but it was “important to reassure passengers”.
Huntingdon train attack follows a series of knife incidents in the UK
12:03 , Sami QuadriThe Huntingdon train attack is the latest in a number of high-profile multiple stabbings in the UK, but recent statistics have shown knife crime figures are down with homicides at an historic low.
Just this month, Wayne Broadhurst 49, was stabbed to death as he was walking his dog in Midhurst Gardens in Uxbridge, west London.
Safi Dawood, 22, has been charged with murdering Wayne Broadhurst, as well attempting to murder his landlord Shahzad Farrukh, 45, and a 14-year-old boy.
And on October 2, 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie was shot dead after he launched a knife attack on the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester, while wearing what appeared to be a suicide belt.
Worshippers Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby were killed in the incident, which happened at about 9.30am.
These cases follow the murders of three young girls in Southport, Merseyside, in July 2024.
Axel Rudakubana, who was aged 17, murdered Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, Bebe King, six, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, and injured 10 others in the attack on a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.
But latest crime figures for England and Wales, released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), have shown that in general knife offences have been falling and homicides at a historic low.
Passengers who protected others during knife attack 'embody best of Britain'
11:40 , Sami QuadriPassengers who protected others during a knife attack on a train near Huntingdon “embody the best of Britain”, Sir Ed Davey has said.
The Liberal Democrat leader said: “I am horrified by the dreadful attack on passengers aboard the train near Huntingdon.
“My thoughts are with all those affected: the victims who we are all praying will pull through, their loved ones and everyone who witnessed such a shocking event.
“At a moment of such fear and chaos, we also saw extraordinary bravery. The stories of passengers who stepped forward to protect others embody the very best of Britain, a country where ordinary people stand together in the face of danger, look out for one another, and refuse to be cowed by violence.
“We owe a huge debt of gratitude to those individuals, to the emergency services who responded so swiftly, and to all those now caring for the injured.
“As the investigation continues, we must ensure justice is done and that every effort is made to keep the public safe.”
King Charles ‘appalled and shocked’ by Huntingdon train knife attack
11:36 , Sami QuadriThe 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.”
Two British nationals arrested on suspicion of attempted murder
10:53 , Sami QuadriTwo men arrested on suspicion of attempted murder remain in custody after a stabbing on a high-speed train in Cambridgeshire.
They are a 32-year-old black British national and a 35-year-old British national of Caribbean descent, police said.
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.”
Kemi Badenoch: ‘Something is clearly going wrong in our society’ after Huntingdon train stabbings
10:41 , Sami QuadriKemi Badenoch said there was “clearly something going wrong with our society”, following the stabbings on a train near Huntingdon.
The Conservative leader told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: “I know many people will be asking the same questions that I’m thinking of right now, which is, ‘why is it that despite so much activity, so much done, legislation to ban knives, so much investment in mental health, so much more, we’re seeing more and more violence on our streets?’
“How can we protect ourselves? What is causing this?
“Lots of people will be speculating.
“I think we should wait until more facts emerge, but there’s clearly something going wrong in our society right now, which I believe all politicians of all parties need to have a conversation about.”
She added: “We cannot be a country where people are innocently going about their business and facing this level of violent crime.
“It’s abhorrent, and it’s not something that we used to see before. What is causing it?”
Vital that information on suspects is released to 'stop misinformation from being spread'
09:51 , Sami QuadriBen Obese-Jecty, the MP for Huntingdon, said it is “vital” that information about the suspects is released to “stop any misinformation and speculation from being spread”.
He told the PA news agency: “All I know is that two people have been arrested and were arrested at the scene. That’s as much information that has been pushed out at the moment.
“I would hope that British Transport Police are going to release some more information about the suspects when they do their press conference later on this morning.
“I think it’s vital that some information comes out to stop any misinformation and speculation from being spread.
“I saw this last night when I put out a tweet saying that I was aware of the incident, I was trying to find out more information.
“Hundreds of comments came back speculating as to the nature of the attack, the motive, background of the attacker.”
British Transport Police to issue update on stabbings
09:47 , Sami QuadriAn update on the train attacks is expected from British Transport Police at around 10am.
British public ‘pretty tough’ but must stay vigilant after train stabbings, says Defence Secretary
09:12 , Sami QuadriThe British public is “pretty tough” and will carry on after the train stabbings, but should be more “vigilant”, the Defence Secretary has said.
John Healey told Sky News’s Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips: “Well, for me, the British public are pretty tough, pretty resilient.
“We’re not going to be deflected from carrying out our everyday lives.
“And that’s right, I don’t want people to feel that they can’t or they shouldn’t, and they will.
“But I think it requires us all to be more vigilant, more vigilant about our electronic devices, about the risk of cyber fraud and cyber attack and just be more vigilant for looking out for others around us.”
Huntingdon stabbing ‘an isolated attack’, says Defence Secretary John Healey
09:11 , Sami QuadriDefence Secretary John Healey has said “there’s no reason for the rest of us not to get on with our lives” as he described the early assessment of the mass stabbing as an “isolated attack”.
He told Sky News: “The early assessment is that this was an isolated incident, an isolated attack.
“So there’s no reason for the rest of us not to get on with our lives, get on and travel to the places we need to get to.
“But those sorts of conclusions, those further assessments and that information will be provided to the public as soon as we’ve got them.”
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan says his 'thoughts are with those injured and affected'
08:51 , Sami QuadriThe horrific incident on the train in Huntingdon is deeply concerning. My thoughts are with those injured and affected.
— Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (@MayorofLondon) November 2, 2025
I am grateful to our emergency services for their swift response.
I am in close contact with the Met and transport authorities to ensure all necessary support…
Pictured: Forensic investigators at Huntingdon station in Cambridgeshire
08:22 , Sami Quadri
LNER ‘deeply shocked and saddened’ after mass stabbing on train
08:11 , Sami QuadriDavid Horne, managing director of train operator London North Eastern Railway, said the company is “deeply shocked and saddened by this serious incident”.
He said in a statement: “Our thoughts are very much with everyone involved.
“I would like to thank the emergency services for their quick and professional response and the care they have provided to those injured. Anyone with information who hasn’t already spoken to police is urged to contact British Transport Police.
“The safety and wellbeing of everyone affected will remain our priority. We will continue to do everything we can to support our customers and colleagues during this difficult time.”
Passengers describe terror on Huntingdon train
08:02 , Sami QuadriTerrified passengers have described the moment a knife-wielding man went on a stabbing spree aboard a London North Eastern Railway service in Cambridgeshire.
One witness, Gavin, told Sky News he saw a man stumble through his carriage shouting: “They’ve got a knife, I’ve been stabbed.”
“They were making their way through the carriage to get away from the suspects. They were extremely bloodied,” he said. “By the time the train pulled up, they were basically on the floor. That person ended up collapsing on the floor. They were taken to an ambulance pretty much straight away.”
He said passengers were quickly ushered out of the train at Huntingdon station, adding: “There were multiple people who had been stabbed making their way down.”
But Gavin said one of the suspects had also left the train and was “running rampant as well”, “waving a large knife” before being taken down by armed officers.
Another passenger, Olly Foster, told the BBC he initially heard people shouting “run, run, there’s a guy literally stabbing everyone”, and thought it might have been a Halloween prank.
Mr Foster said panic broke out as people began pushing through the carriage. “I noticed my hand was covered in blood,” he said. “There was blood all over the chair I had leaned on.”
He described how an older man intervened to protect a young girl, blocking the attacker and suffering injuries to his head and neck. Other passengers used their clothes to try to stem the bleeding.
Mr Foster said the ordeal “felt like forever”.
Everything we know about the Huntingdon train stabbing so far
07:31 , Sami QuadriA major investigation is under way after a mass stabbing on a train in Cambridgeshire left nine people fighting for their lives.
The incident happened on Saturday evening when a man armed with a large knife attacked passengers on a high-speed train travelling from Doncaster to London King’s Cross.
Police were called just after 7.40pm after the train left Peterborough. Witnesses said the attacker began stabbing passengers about 10 minutes into the journey, sending carriages into chaos as people screamed, trampled over seats and hid in toilets to escape.
The train was stopped at Huntingdon station, where armed officers used a Taser to subdue one suspect. Two people have been arrested.
British Transport Police declared a major incident and confirmed 10 people were taken to hospital, including nine with life-threatening injuries. Armed police, paramedics, air ambulances and firefighters were all deployed to the scene.
Counter-terrorism officers have now joined the investigation. At one stage, “Plato” — the emergency services code for a suspected marauding terror attack — was declared but later stood down.
The train station remains cordoned off, and services through Huntingdon have been suspended while forensic teams work at the scene. Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses or anyone with video footage from the train to come forward.
Pictured: Emergency services at the scene following Huntingdon attack
07:07 , Sami Quadri
Keir Starmer ‘deeply concerned’ after ‘appalling incident’ at Huntingdon station
07:01 , Sami QuadriPrime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the "appalling incident" was "deeply concerning".
"My thoughts are with all those affected, and my thanks go to the emergency services for their response," he wrote on X.
Huntingdon MP Ben Obese-Jecty said in a post on X: "My thoughts are with the victims and those involved." The Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she was "deeply saddened" by the incident and urged the public to "avoid comment and speculation at this early stage"
Police launch urgent investigation after ‘shocking incident’ in Huntingdon
07:00 , Sami QuadriChief Superintendent Chris Casey said: “This is a shocking incident and first and foremost my thoughts are with those who have been injured this evening and their families.
“We’re conducting urgent enquiries to establish what has happened, and it could take some time before we are in a position to confirm anything further.
“At this early stage it would not be appropriate to speculate on the causes of the incident.
“Our response is ongoing at the station and will be for some time.
“Cordons are in place and trains are not currently running through the area, and there are also some road closures.”
