Probe Expands into Knife Incidents Linked to Train Attack

Authorities in the UK are delving into a series of knife-related incidents that may be connected to a recent mass stabbing on a high-speed train in Cambridgeshire. Investigators are particularly focused on four separate knife events that reportedly occurred just hours before the chaotic scene unfolded on Saturday evening, where passengers were left fleeing in fear.

On Monday, 32-year-old Anthony Williams appeared in court facing multiple charges of attempted murder stemming from two distinct stabbing incidents. As the investigation unfolds, questions have arisen about the police's prior awareness of Williams. The British Transport Police (BTP) had already identified him as a suspect in a different knife attack on London’s transport network before he allegedly boarded the train where the mass stabbing took place.

The BTP confirmed they were actively searching for Williams and had his name but were unable to apprehend him before the violent episode occurred on the train traveling between Doncaster and London. In addition to the London incident, the investigation has broadened to include three earlier knife-related occurrences in and around Peterborough that took place on Friday evening and Saturday morning.

Williams, a resident of Peterborough, has been charged with a total of ten counts of attempted murder in connection with the stabbings on Saturday evening. Furthermore, he faces an additional charge of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article linked to an earlier incident at Pontoon Dock station, part of the Docklands Light Railway in east London, occurring on Saturday morning.

According to BTP, reports of the attack at Pontoon Dock were received at 12:46 AM on Saturday. A man sustained facial injuries from a knife and the suspect fled the scene. A spokesperson from BTP stated, “Police subsequently identified Williams as a suspect and took steps to locate and arrest him.”

In the wake of the train attack, Cambridgeshire police have detailed three additional incidents in Peterborough. The first involved the stabbing of a 14-year-old boy, who suffered minor injuries at the hands of a man in the city center. Later that evening, a man was reported to have brandished a knife at a barber’s shop in Fletton, Peterborough, at 7:25 PM. This incident was reported to the police at 9:10 PM, leading to a recorded crime, but officers were not dispatched to the scene.

On Saturday morning, at 9:25 AM, officers were called to the same barber's shop, arriving 18 minutes later, only to find no trace of the suspect. In light of these events, Cambridgeshire police stated, “We are currently reviewing all incidents in the timeframe to understand whether there were any further potential offences.”

Among the 11 individuals who received medical treatment following the train attack was Jonathan Gjoshe, a footballer for Scunthorpe United. Currently, five individuals remain hospitalized, including a train guard who has been praised for his heroic actions in protecting passengers during the harrowing event.

Following his court appearance, Williams has been remanded in custody. Stuart Cundy, the deputy chief constable of BTP, remarked, “Our investigation is also looking at other possible linked offences.” In addition to the attempted murder charges, Williams has also been charged with one count of actual bodily harm related to the incident at Pontoon Dock.

The police are continuing their investigation into these troubling events, aiming to piece together the connections between the various knife incidents. As authorities work to ensure public safety, the community remains on edge, reflecting the broader concerns regarding knife crime in the UK. The unfolding details surrounding the train attack and the associated incidents underscore the urgent need for effective measures to address and prevent such violence in the future.