On the evening of November 1, 2025, panic erupted aboard a crowded LNER train traveling from Doncaster to London King’s Cross. As the train sped between Peterborough and Huntingdon, a man suddenly began attacking passengers with a knife, leaving eleven people wounded and sparking one of the most terrifying incidents to strike Britain’s railways in recent memory. The suspect, later identified as 32-year-old Anthony Williams of Peterborough, was arrested after the train made an emergency stop at Huntingdon station—ending what authorities now say was a violent spree that spanned two days and multiple locations across England.
According to BBC News and other sources, the chaos aboard the train was only the culmination of a series of knife attacks that began in Peterborough the previous evening. On October 31, at 7:10 p.m., a 14-year-old boy was stabbed on Henry Penn Walk in Peterborough city centre. Although the boy’s injuries were minor and he was discharged from the hospital, police were unable to identify or catch the attacker at that time. Later that night, a man wielding a knife entered a barber shop in Fletton, Peterborough. Officers arrived two hours after the report, but the suspect had already fled the scene.
The violence continued into the early hours of November 1. At around 12:46 a.m., a 17-year-old was stabbed in the face while riding a DLR train at Pontoon Dock station in east London. CCTV footage and subsequent investigation linked Anthony Williams to this attack, and he was eventually charged with an additional count of attempted murder for this incident. Later that morning, at 9:25 a.m., Cambridgeshire police were called to another knife-related disturbance at a Fletton barber shop, but yet again, the suspect could not be located despite officers arriving within 18 minutes.
It was not until the evening that Williams’ rampage reached its most devastating point. Boarding the 6:25 p.m. LNER service from Doncaster, Williams launched his attack between Peterborough and Huntingdon, targeting both passengers and rail staff. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as bloodied travelers raced through the train, desperate to escape the knifeman. One rail worker, Samir Zitouni, was critically injured in his attempt to stop Williams—actions that police later described as "nothing short of heroic." Ten other passengers suffered varying degrees of injury, with seven eventually discharged from the hospital and three remaining under medical care as of November 5.
Armed police responded with remarkable speed, arriving at Huntingdon station within eight minutes of the first emergency call at 7:42 p.m. Williams was arrested on the spot, reportedly laughing and making disturbing remarks about "the devil always winning," according to court documents cited by the Financial Express. Authorities were quick to reassure the public that the attack was an isolated incident and not linked to terrorism. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed that Williams was not under any active investigation, nor was he part of the Prevent counter-terrorism program. While terrorism was ruled out as a motive, officials are examining reports that Williams had prior mental health issues.
Williams, who had no fixed address at the time of his arrest, was charged on November 3 with 11 counts of attempted murder—ten relating to the train attack and one for the Pontoon Dock stabbing. Additional charges include assaulting a police officer and possession of a bladed article. He made a brief appearance at Peterborough Magistrates' Court on Monday, flanked by four security officers and wearing a grey prison tracksuit and handcuffs. Williams was not asked to enter pleas and was ordered detained until his next hearing, scheduled for December 1 at Cambridge Crown Court.
The British Transport Police (BTP) has taken the lead in the investigation, piecing together Williams’ movements across Peterborough and London over a tumultuous 24-hour period. Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Cundy emphasized the priority of the investigation, stating, "The criminal investigation is a priority for British Transport Police, and we are working closely with Cambridgeshire Constabulary and the Crown Prosecution Service." He also announced increased police visibility across the rail network to reassure staff and passengers, urging the public to remain vigilant: "If you see something that doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and text us on 61016."
In the wake of the attack, there has been both public outpouring of support for the victims and renewed debate over railway security. The government, however, rejected calls for airport-style screening at Britain’s 3,500 railway stations, arguing that such measures would not be "proportionate or practical." Instead, authorities have focused on stepped-up patrols and rapid response capabilities. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government has pointed to recent successes in reducing knife crime, with the Office for National Statistics reporting a more than 20% drop in knife killings in the year to March 2025 compared to the previous year. Yet the Huntingdon incident is a stark reminder that the threat of knife violence remains a pressing concern in the UK, where nearly half of all homicides involve sharp instruments.
Amid the horror, stories of courage have emerged. Stephen Crean, a London-based Nottingham Forest supporter, was among those who confronted Williams during the attack. Crean sustained injuries to his head, back, and hands, but his actions have been widely praised. Nottingham Forest Football Club donated £10,000 to a Just Giving page set up in Crean’s name, which as of November 5 had raised over £45,000—far surpassing its initial goal of £500. The page notes, "Steve has been a regular fixture at Forest home and away games for many years, making the long journey up from London, and is well known amongst our fanbase."
As the legal process unfolds, questions linger about how Williams was able to move freely between multiple locations and evade police after several prior incidents. Cambridgeshire Police Chief Constable Simon Megicks has launched an internal review into the handling of earlier knife-related reports and referred the force to the Independent Office for Police Conduct. Investigators remain determined to uncover any lessons that could help prevent such tragedies in the future.
For now, the focus remains on supporting the victims, understanding the full scope of Williams’ actions, and restoring a sense of safety to Britain’s railways. The events of early November have left an indelible mark on the communities affected—and on a nation still grappling with the complexities of violent crime in public spaces.
