Nine suffer life-threatening injuries as two arrested in Cambridgeshire train stabbing

Nine people have suffered life-threatening injuries and two people have been arrested after a train stabbing in Cambridgeshire which Sir Keir Starmer described as "deeply concerning".

It is believed a man with a large knife went on a bloody rampage through the high-speed train after it left Peterborough station in Cambridgeshire.

Armed police were deployed to Huntingdon station, where the train had stopped, on Saturday evening after reports that passengers were attacked.

British Transport Police (BTP) revealed that 10 people were taken to hospital after the attack, nine of whom have been left with life-threatening injuries.

There have been no fatalities.

Two people who had been arrested in connection with the incident remain in police custody and witnesses described police shooting a man with a Taser.

BTP added: "This had been declared a major incident and Counter Terrorism Policing are supporting our investigation whilst we work to establish the full circumstances and motivation for this incident."

Officers responding to the stabbing originally declared "Plato", the national code word used by police and emergency services when responding to a "marauding terror attack".

However, BTP confirmed this declaration was later rescinded.

It is understood the train involved was the 1825 London North Eastern Railway (LNER) service from Doncaster to London King's Cross.

Cambridgeshire Police said more than 30 officers initially responded to the attack, and forensic teams, including K-9 units, can now be seen at the station.

BTP Chief Superintendent Chris Casey said: "This is a shocking incident and first and foremost my thoughts are with those who have been injured this evening and their families.

"We're conducting urgent enquiries to establish what has happened, and it could take some time before we are in a position to confirm anything further.

"At this early stage it would not be appropriate to speculate on the causes of the incident. Our response is ongoing at the station and will be for some time.

"Cordons are in place and trains are not currently running through the area, and there are also some road closures."

An East of England Ambulance Service spokesman said "numerous ambulances, tactical commanders, our Hazardous Area Response Team and critical care teams" were sent to the scene with multiple patients taken to hospital.

According to The Times, a witness said they saw a man with a large knife and that there was "blood everywhere".

People hid in the lavatories to escape the incident while some were getting "stamped (on) by others" as they tried to run.

"I heard some people shouting we love (you)," the witness added.

A witness told The Mirror they saw a person "hanging out the train door bleeding" while they were waiting for the 8.10pm train to Kings Cross.

The Prime Minister said: "The appalling incident on a train near Huntingdon is deeply concerning".

"My thoughts are with all those affected and my thanks go to the emergency services for their response.

"Anyone in the area should follow the advice of the police."

LNER has urged people to postpone rail travel, adding that disruption is expected until the end of Sunday.

Thameslink said that no trains will call at Huntingdon in both directions until further notice.

"If you are travelling FROM Huntingdon, you will need to use an alternative route of travel or travel later on today where possible," Thameslink added.

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British Transport Police and Cambridgeshire Police remain at the scene.

Huntingdon MP Ben Obese-Jecty, who is understood to be at the scene, said he was "aware of the incident and am trying to establish furhter information".

He added: "My thoughts are with the victims and those involved."

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said on X that she was "deeply saddened to hear about the stabbings in Huntingdon".

"My thoughts go out to all those affected ... I urge people to avoid comment and speculation at this early stage," she added.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said she was "deeply disturbed by the reports emerging from Huntingdon".

"This is an absolutely horrific attack and my thoughts are with all those affected including the emergency responders at the scene," she added.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said it "seems to be a brutal mass attack".

"My thoughts are with all those injured or affected and the emergency services responding," he added.

"The police and Government should provide an update on what happened and who has been arrested as soon as possible."

North West Cambridgeshire MP Sam Carling said: "I'm aware of this awful incident on a train bound for Huntingdon this evening".

"Whilst we don't have the full picture yet - my thoughts are with all of those affected - and a huge thank you to @CambsCops and all other first responders in attendance," he added.

LNER said: "We are aware of an incident involving one of our trains".

“Our immediate concern is for the welfare of our customers and crew who are on board.

“We are in the process of gathering all the details we can and are liaising with British Transport Police.”

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mayor Paul Bristow said on X that he heard "reports of horrendous scenes on a train in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire".

"Thoughts are prayers with everyone affected," he added.