Two people were arrested after a mass stabbing on a Doncaster–London King's Cross train on Saturday evening; police say there is currently no evidence the attack was terrorism-related. The suspects were detained within eight minutes of the first 999 call and are held on suspicion of attempted murder. Ten people were taken to hospital (one later self-presented); four have been discharged and two remain in life-threatening condition. A major incident was declared and police have increased their presence across services while investigations continue.
Two Arrested After Mass Stabbing on Doncaster–King's Cross Train; Police Say No Evidence of Terrorism
Two people were arrested after a mass stabbing on a Doncaster–London King's Cross train on Saturday evening; police say there is currently no evidence the attack was terrorism-related. The suspects were detained within eight minutes of the first 999 call and are held on suspicion of attempted murder. Ten people were taken to hospital (one later self-presented); four have been discharged and two remain in life-threatening condition. A major incident was declared and police have increased their presence across services while investigations continue.
23:20, 02.11.2025Security
Two arrested after mass stabbing on Doncaster–King's Cross service
Nov. 2 — Two people were arrested Saturday night after multiple passengers were stabbed aboard the 6:25 p.m. Doncaster-to-London King's Cross train, British Transport Police said.
Officers received the first emergency call at 7:42 p.m. local time and the train was forced to stop in the Cambridgeshire market town of Huntingdon, where police and paramedics boarded to treat and assess passengers. Police say the two suspects were detained within eight minutes of the initial 999 call.
Suspects and charges: Police described the suspects as a 32-year-old Black man and a 35-year-old man of Caribbean descent; both are reported to be natural-born British nationals. They have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and remain in custody as detectives continue their inquiries.
Injuries and response: Paramedics transported ten people by ambulance to a local hospital and another victim later self-presented. Four people have since been discharged; two remain in life-threatening condition. Authorities declared a major incident and emergency services remain on scene.
Witnesses told The Guardian they saw bloody handprints and scenes of panic as the situation unfolded across several carriages. Huntingdon station remained closed on Sunday, and police warned passengers to expect an increased law-enforcement presence across services while the investigation continues.
"We declared a major incident yesterday and Counter Terrorism Policing were initially supporting our investigation; however, at this stage there is nothing to suggest this is a terrorist incident," Police Superintendent John Loveless said. "This is a British Transport Police investigation."
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood urged the public not to speculate about the motive for the attack while inquiries continue.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the stabbing an "appalling incident" and "deeply concerning," thanking emergency services and urging anyone in the area to follow police advice. Former prime minister Rishi Sunak noted the incident occurred on a line he regularly uses.
What we know: Two suspects detained within minutes, more than a dozen victims affected (ten taken to hospital plus one self-presented), no current intelligence linking the attack to terrorism, and an ongoing criminal investigation by British Transport Police.