A late-Saturday evening journey turned into chaos when a high-speed train en route from Doncaster to London’s King’s Cross was the scene of a violent stabbing spree. The incident occurred around 7:39 pm GMT on 1 November 2025, shortly after the train departed near Peterborough and before it reached Huntingdon railway station in Cambridgeshire. The train was forced to make an emergency stop and police were alerted to multiple stabbings on board.
Emergency Response and Arrests
Armed officers from British Transport Police and Cambridgeshire Constabulary swiftly attended the scene, halting the train at Huntingdon where two male suspects were arrested. Videos show one individual being tasered while allegedly wielding a large knife. The incident was initially declared a “major incident” and code-word “Plato” (used for suspected terror attacks) was activated, though this designation was later rescinded as the investigation proceeded.
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Emergency services deployed multiple land ambulances and air-ambulance teams, transporting ten people to hospital. Of these, nine are believed to have sustained life-threatening injuries. No fatalities have been confirmed. One witness described the scene: “blood everywhere … a guy literally stabbing everyone.”
Investigation & Wider Implications
At this stage, police emphasize the attack is being treated as an isolated incident, though counter-terrorism units are supporting the investigation. Authorities have not yet established a motive or confirmed whether the suspects were known to each other. Travel disruption continues on the route operated by London North Eastern Railway, with authorities advising passengers to avoid travel until further notice. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the incident as “deeply concerning” and thanked emergency services for their rapid response.
This attack lands amid growing concerns over knife crime in England and Wales; while gun-related violence remains relatively low, authorities regard widespread knife attacks as a national crisis. As the investigation unfolds, questions around rail-security, threat assessment protocols and how lone incidents of extreme violence can be prevented will come under scrutiny.
