By Harshit, LONDON, Nov. 3
British police have charged Anthony Williams, a 32-year-old man from Peterborough, with 10 counts of attempted murder following a mass stabbing attack aboard a train traveling from Doncaster to London on Saturday evening. The assault left nine people with life-threatening injuries, one of whom remains in critical condition, in what the British Transport Police (BTP) declared a “major incident.”
Williams, who was also linked to a separate stabbing earlier that day in London’s Pontoon Dock Station, faces additional charges of actual bodily harm and possession of a bladed article. He is due to appear in court on Monday, authorities confirmed.
A Terror on the Tracks
The violent rampage occurred aboard a London North Eastern Railway (LNER) service that departed Doncaster at 6:25 p.m. local time on Saturday. The attack began shortly after the train passed Peterborough Station in Cambridgeshire.
Passengers reported chaos erupting in the carriages as screams echoed down the train. One traveler, Wren Chambers, told the BBC she saw a man running past with a deep wound on his arm, while others rushed toward the front of the train in panic.
“I heard screaming and shouting coming from a few carriages down,” Chambers said. “Then people started running. I grabbed my bag and tried to get as far away as possible.”
Eyewitnesses described bloody scenes inside the train, with some passengers locking themselves in restrooms for safety. One person told reporters that train seats were “soaked in blood.”
Swift Police Response
At 7:42 p.m., BTP received the first emergency call, triggering an armed response. Within eight minutes, police intercepted the train at Huntingdon Station, approximately 15 minutes from Peterborough, where they arrested two men and recovered a knife. One of the suspects was later released without charge.
Video footage from the station showed armed officers sprinting along the platform, shouting commands and evacuating terrified passengers. Police temporarily invoked “Plato”, the national code for a suspected terrorist attack, but later rescinded it after determining no link to terrorism.
“Our investigation is ongoing and looking into other possible linked offenses,” said Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Cundy of the British Transport Police.
Linked London Incident
Authorities revealed that Williams is also charged with an additional count of attempted murder and possession of a bladed weapon in connection with an attack earlier the same day at Pontoon Dock Station in east London, approximately 100 miles from Peterborough.
While police continue to explore the motive, Cundy stated there is “no evidence to suggest this was a terror-related act.”
Victims and Acts of Heroism
A total of 11 people were treated in hospitals following the incident. Nine of them sustained life-threatening injuries, while one later self-presented with minor wounds.
Among the injured was an LNER staff member who bravely tried to stop the attacker. “Detectives have reviewed CCTV from the train and it is clear his actions were nothing short of heroic and undoubtedly saved many lives,” the BTP said in a statement.
As of Sunday night, the staff member remained hospitalized in critical condition.
National Reaction and Growing Concerns
The attack sent shockwaves across the UK, prompting widespread condemnation and renewed concern over the rise in knife crime.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer wrote on X, “My thoughts are with all those affected, and my thanks go to the emergency services for their rapid response. Anyone in the area should follow police advice.”
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she was “deeply saddened” and emphasized her commitment to tackling knife violence. Meanwhile, King Charles III expressed his shock and sympathy, saying, “My wife and I were truly appalled and shocked to hear of the dreadful knife attack. Our deepest sympathy and thoughts are with all those affected.”
Knife Crime on the Rise
While mass casualty incidents are rare in the United Kingdom, knife crime has been steadily increasing since 2011. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), there were 51,527 knife-related offenses in England and Wales in the 12 months leading up to June 2025. Of those, 15,689 occurred in London alone.
Gun crime remains comparatively low, with around 5,100 recorded firearm offenses over the past year.
The East Coast Main Line, where the attack occurred, is one of Britain’s busiest rail routes, connecting London’s King’s Cross Station with major cities including Doncaster, York, and Edinburgh.
The train involved remained at Huntingdon Station Sunday morning as forensic investigators examined the scene. Police have asked anyone with footage or information to contact the British Transport Police immediately.