A 32-year-old British man has been identified as the sole suspect in a mass stabbing on a train in England that left 11 people injured, police confirmed on November 2. Another man, aged 35, who had initially been arrested, was released without charge after investigators determined he was not involved.
Authorities stressed that the incident was not terror-related, adding that five of the injured passengers had already been discharged from hospital. One of those still receiving treatment was a train crew member who had tried to stop the attacker and remained in critical condition.
«CCTV footage from the train shows his actions were nothing short of heroic and undoubtedly saved many lives,» police said in a statement.
Police Focusing on Motive and Background
Counterterrorism officers initially assisted with the investigation, but local police later confirmed there was no evidence of terrorism. Officers are now working to establish the suspect’s background and events leading up to the attack. A knife was recovered from the scene.
«Our investigation is progressing quickly, and we are confident we are not looking for anyone else,» said Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Cundy.
The suspect, described as a Black British man from Peterborough, had boarded the train there before being arrested by armed police after the train made an emergency stop at Huntingdon, around 80 miles north of London.
National Reaction and Rising Knife Crime
Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the attack an «appalling incident», while King Charles said he was «truly appalled and shocked». Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood urged the public not to speculate as police continued their work.
Knife crime has risen by 87% in England and Wales over the past decade, with 54,587 offences recorded last year, one of the highest rates in Europe, according to the Home Office.
The government is particularly cautious about misinformation after a 2024 case in Southport led to widespread unrest following false online claims about a separate murder.
Witness Accounts
Passengers described scenes of chaos and fear during the attack. One witness, Olly Foster, told the BBC he realised «there was blood everywhere» after seeing a man running through the carriage warning of a stabbing.
«I looked at my hand, and it was covered in blood. Then I saw the chairs ahead, and there was blood on all of them,» he recalled.
Another eyewitness told Sky News the suspect was seen waving a large knife before being tasered by police during the dramatic arrest.
Kursiv also reports that earlier this year, Iryna Zarutska was fatally stabbed on a Charlotte train, prompting debate over crime, justice and mental health in the US.
