Quick summary
A man arrested after a knife attack on a London-bound train is now being probed over several other incidents that happened the same weekend. Authorities say multiple people — including two teenagers and a rail worker — were hurt, and the investigation is ongoing.
Who’s been arrested?
Police arrested 32-year-old Anthony Williams after the train incident. He has since been charged in relation to a string of episodes that took place across the region over a short period.
Timeline of the alleged incidents
Friday evening: A 14-year-old boy was reportedly stabbed in Peterborough’s city center and treated in hospital for minor injuries.
Also on Friday: A man carrying a knife is said to have entered a barber shop in the Fletton area, but left before staff could do anything and officers were not dispatched until later.
Early Saturday: A 17-year-old suffered facial injuries after an attack on a Docklands Light Railway (DLR) train at Pontoon Dock. The assailant had already left the scene by the time police arrived.
Later that morning: Barbers in Fletton reported another related incident; police attended but the suspect could not be found at that time.
That evening: An LNER train made an unexpected stop after reports of a stabbing near Huntingdon. A member of the train crew who intervened was seriously hurt while trying to stop the attacker.
Charges and police action
Williams faces multiple charges tied to the weekend’s events, including numerous counts of attempted murder, one count of actual bodily harm, possession of a bladed weapon, and a specific attempted murder charge related to the Pontoon Dock incident. Detectives from British Transport Police are treating the case as a top priority.
How authorities are responding
Police say there’s no indication this was a terror attack. Officers from British Transport Police are working closely with Cambridgeshire Constabulary and the Crown Prosecution Service, and have stepped up visible patrols on the rail network to reassure staff and passengers.
Victims and welfare
Among those hurt was a train employee who tried to stop the attacker and was taken to hospital in critical condition; police described their actions as brave. Several other victims were also treated — some remain in hospital but in stable condition.
Want to help?
Investigators are urging anyone who noticed something odd or has footage, dashcam, or phone video of the scenes or surrounding moments to get in touch with British Transport Police. If it feels wrong, they want to know about it — even small details can help.
