The man accused of carrying out a mass stabbing on a London North Eastern Railway (LNER) train in Cambridgeshire has been identified as Anthony Williams, 32, a British national. Chilling new CCTV footage has emerged showing Williams storming into a barbershop with a knife just one day before the train attack that shocked the nation.
🔪 The Chilling Prelude
On October 31, 2025, Williams was caught on surveillance cameras bursting into a barbershop in Peterborough, waving a large knife at terrified staff and customers. No one was injured in that incident, but witnesses say the man appeared “agitated and paranoid.”
Less than 24 hours later, Williams allegedly boarded an LNER train from Peterborough to London, where he randomly attacked passengers with the same type of weapon. The assault left 11 people wounded, including several in critical condition.
Police later intercepted the train at Huntingdon Station, where armed officers arrested the suspect after a brief confrontation.
🧩 A Trail of Violence
Authorities now believe Williams may have been involved in a series of knife incidents across Cambridgeshire in the 48 hours leading up to the train attack.
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On October 31, a 14-year-old boy was stabbed in Peterborough in a possibly related case.
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Hours later, the barbershop incident occurred in the same region.
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The following day’s train attack marked the climax of what investigators describe as a “violent escalation”.
The Metropolitan Police and Cambridgeshire Constabulary are now coordinating with Counter-Terrorism Command, although officials have stated there is “no evidence of ideological motivation” at this stage.
⚖️ Charges and Investigation
Williams faces 10 counts of attempted murder and one count of possession of a bladed weapon. Police also confirmed that he assaulted an officer during his arrest, leading to an additional charge of actual bodily harm.
During questioning, Williams reportedly made “disjointed statements” about being followed and “targeted,” raising the possibility of mental health concerns. Detectives are awaiting psychiatric evaluations to determine his fitness to stand trial.
🚨 Public Outcry and Security Review
The shocking sequence of events has triggered widespread criticism of police response and public safety measures. Many Britons are questioning how a man involved in multiple knife incidents in such a short span wasn’t detained earlier.
Transport officials have since announced a review of rail security protocols, including proposals for enhanced surveillance and faster inter-agency communication when violent suspects are at large.
🧭 The Bigger Picture
The Huntingdon train stabbings mark one of the most violent mass attacks in the UK this year and have reignited debates over knife crime prevention, mental health intervention, and law enforcement readiness.
For now, as the investigation deepens, Britain is left asking how a known threat managed to roam freely — from a barbershop confrontation to a train massacre — all within 24 hours.
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