Suspect arrested in mass-stabbing attack on UK train, charged with attempted murder, 10 counts
By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON – British authorities on Monday have detained a 32-year-old individual after a major knife attack on a passenger train in Cambridgeshire which left 11 persons injured, according to local police.
Police identified the suspect as Anthony Williams, 32, from Peterborough, was charged on Monday in connection with the attack, which took place on a LNER service near Huntingdon.
He was charged with 10 counts of attempted murder after he engaged in mass stabbing spree onboard a passenger train travelling from Doncaster to London on Saturday night.
The knife attack left 11 people hospitalized, including a member of the train staff who remains in a critical but stable condition.
Williams has been charged with another count of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article linked to a separate incident at Pontoon Dock DLR station in the early hours of the same day.
The Actual Bodily Harm charge related to an alleged assault on a police officer in custody, which reportedly left the officer with a broken nose.
Williams, who is of no fixed abode, appeared before Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on Monday and was remained in custody. He is due to appear at Cambridge Crown Court on December 1.
Police arrested another man at the scene, though he has been released without charge, as per police officials.
Police said there was “nothing to suggest” the incident was terrorism-related.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes on the train, stated police officers used a Taser to subdue a man holding a knife.
Police are reviewing three incidents including the stabbing of a 14-year-old in Peterborough to determine whether they are connected to the Huntingdon train attack.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in a statement condemned the attack as “appalling and deeply concerning,” while King Charles and Queen Camilla sent their “deepest sympathy” to those affected.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood speaking in the House of Commons on Monday praised the emergency services and the bravery of passengers, called the attacker “the very worst of humanity.”
Home Secretary Chris Philp said police should be permitted to “triple” the use of stop and search powers to catch individuals carrying knives.
UK police appealed for witnesses or anyone with mobile phone footage of the incident to come forward as part of their investigation.
