UK Police: Train Stabbings Not Terror Attack, 2nd Suspect Released Without Charges

A 35-year-old man who police arrested at the scene of a stabbing attack on a train near Cambridge in eastern England on Saturday has been released with no charges, local authorities said on Nov. 2.

One suspect remains in custody on suspicion of attempted murder, police said.

Earlier on Sunday, police said the attack was no longer being treated as a terrorist incident. Among the nine victims who were treated for life-threatening injuries on Saturday, five have been released and one is still in medical care in a “life-threatening condition,” police said.

“Counter-terrorism policing were initially supporting our investigation,” officer John Loveless said at a news conference. “However, at this stage, there is nothing to suggest that this is a terrorist incident.”

The two initial suspects included a 32-year-old black British national and a 35-year-old British national of Caribbean descent, according to Loveless.

In an investigation update on Sunday, local police said the 35-year-old had been “released with no further action” and that the 32-year-old man—who is from Peterborough and boarded the train at Peterborough station—is now being treated as the sole suspect.

“Our investigation is moving at pace and we are confident we are not looking for anyone else in connection to the incident,” Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Cundy said in a statement.

“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.”

Authorities said officers recovered a knife at the scene of the attack.

Police say the victim who remains in medical care was a member of the London North Eastern Railway (LNER) rail staff and had tried to stop the attacker on the train.

“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,” police said.

LNER Managing Director David Horne said the railway service is “deeply shocked and saddened by yesterday’s incident.”

“This is a deeply upsetting incident,” he said in a statement. “Over the coming days we will continue to cooperate with the authorities involved and will do everything we can to support our customers and colleagues during this very difficult time.”

Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the attack an “appalling incident.” On Nov. 1, British Transport Police Chief Superintendent Chris Casey said it was too early to “speculate on the causes of the incident.”

Calls went out to Cambridgeshire police at 19:39 GMT following reports that several people had been stabbed on the 18:25 service from Doncaster in northern England to London King’s Cross.

Social media videos showed officers entering the train once it stopped at Huntingdon.

“Armed officers attended, and the train was stopped at Huntingdon, where two men were arrested,” the police said.

One of the suspects, who had been waving a large knife, was tasered by police, an eyewitness told Sky News.

The East of England Ambulance Service mobilized a massive response to Huntingdon Railway Station, which included multiple ambulances and critical care teams, including three air ambulances, the service said.

Starmer wrote on social media that the incident was “deeply concerning.”

“My thoughts are with all those affected, and my thanks go to the emergency services for their response,” Starmer said. “Anyone in the area should follow the advice of the police.”

Secretary of State for the Home Department Shabana Mahmood called it a “horrific attack.”

“My deepest thanks go to the British Transport Police, Cambridgeshire Police, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service and the East of England Ambulance Service. They responded rapidly, with the utmost professionalism and saved lives,” she wrote on social media. “The investigation is ongoing, and I am receiving regular updates from the police.”

Second UK Stabbing in a Week

The Nov. 1 train stabbing incident follows a separate stabbing attack in west London last week. Police arrested an Afghan national after a man was stabbed to death and two others were injured, including a 14-year-old boy.

Calls went out to police and ambulance at roughly 5 p.m. local time on Oct. 27 to Midhurst Gardens in Uxbridge, where reports say a passerby walking his dog was fatally stabbed after he tried to stop the assailant from attacking a man and his son.

“The dead man is very well known around here,” a local resident told the Daily Mail. “He’s a lovely guy, very gentle and peaceful. He was just trying to help, and it’s ended up costing him his life.”

The passerby, a 49-year-old man, was treated at the scene but died. Another man, 45, sustained life-threatening injuries, according to police. The boy’s injuries were not life-threatening.

Reuters contributed to this report.