Police suggest train attack suspect may be connected to additional incidents

Authorities are investigating a potential link between a suspect in a train attack and multiple earlier incidents. Anthony Williams, 32, has been charged with ten counts of attempted murder following a violent assault on a London-bound train that left ten individuals injured.

Incidents Under Investigation

On Saturday, shortly after 19:40 GMT, the attack unfolded on an LNER train that had just departed Peterborough. Prior to this, on Friday evening at 19:10, a 14-year-old boy was stabbed in Peterborough’s city center. He suffered minor injuries and received treatment at Peterborough City Hospital.

Additionally, police received reports of a man armed with a knife at a local barbershop. The first report was made at 19:25, but no officers were dispatched at that time. A follow-up report was issued the next morning, when the same shop alerted police again around 09:25.

Response from Authorities

• Cambridgeshire Police stated they are reviewing these incidents to determine if there are any further connections.
• British Transport Police is leading the overall investigation, which includes the three incidents.

Williams was remanded into custody after being charged not only for the train attack but also for a separate assault in East London, where a victim sustained facial injuries during an incident around 00:45 on Saturday.

Heroic Actions During the Attack

During the train incident, the actions of the train crew and passengers are being hailed as heroic. Prime Minister Keir Starmer commended the bravery displayed by those on board.

Among the injured were Jonathan Gjoshe, a Scunthorpe United footballer, and Stephen Crean, a Nottingham Forest fan. Crean intervened directly with the attacker, describing how he confronted the assailant in an effort to allow others to safely escape.

Train driver Andrew Johnson also played a crucial role in responding to the attack. He swiftly diverted the train, facilitating quicker access for emergency services. His quick thinking potentially saved many lives.

Official Statements

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood recognized the “breathtaking bravery” of both the passengers and crew during the attack. She noted the decisive actions that prevented further escalation and harm on the train.

Cambridgeshire Police has referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct as is standard procedure, but the office has stated that it will not investigate the matter further.

As the investigation continues, police are urging anyone with information related to these events to come forward. This critical inquiry seeks to clarify the connections between multiple reported incidents and ensure public safety moving forward.