They are a 32-year-old black British national and a 35-year-old British national of Caribbean descent, police said.
Superintendent John Loveless told reporters at the scene in Huntingdon: “It’s a shocking incident and first and foremost, my thoughts are with the family and friends those who have been affected and those who are injured.
“Approximately 7.42pm yesterday evening, there were calls to the police service in relation to multiple stabbings which took place on board a train service.
“The train departed Doncaster at 6.25pm, and was en route to London King’s Cross Station.
“Officers immediately attended Huntington station alongside paramedics, where armed police officers from Cambridgeshire police boarded the train and arrested two people within eight minutes of the 999 call being made.
“Two men were brought into police custody, where they remain this morning.
“I can tell you that these are: the first male, a 32-year-old male, a black British national and a 35-year-old man, a British national of Caribbean descent, they were both arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
“As stated, they remain this morning in separate police stations for questioning.”
43m ago
‘High visibility’ of police at train station to ‘reassure the public’
The Transport Secretary said passengers would see “a high visibility presence” of police at railway stations and on trains on Sunday “to reassure the public”.
Heidi Alexander said: “My thoughts are with those who have been impacted by the shocking incident in Huntingdon last night, especially those still in hospital today.
“I’d like to pay enormous tribute to the staff and officers who responded, and the public for their patience and cooperation.
“I am receiving regular updates from the British Transport Police who are leading the response to this awful incident, as well as LNER and other organisations involved.
“Trains are now running in the area, however Huntingdon station remains closed with trains passing through.
“Passengers will see a high visibility presence of officers at stations and on trains throughout today who are there to reassure the public.”
46m ago
Train passengers who protected others ’embody the best of Britain’
Passengers who protected others during a knife attack on a train near Huntingdon “embody the best of Britain”, Sir Ed Davey has said.
The Liberal Democrat leader said: “I am horrified by the dreadful attack on passengers aboard the train near Huntingdon.
“My thoughts are with all those affected: the victims who we are all praying will pull through, their loved ones and everyone who witnessed such a shocking event.
“At a moment of such fear and chaos, we also saw extraordinary bravery. The stories of passengers who stepped forward to protect others embody the very best of Britain, a country where ordinary people stand together in the face of danger, look out for one another, and refuse to be cowed by violence.
“We owe a huge debt of gratitude to those individuals, to the emergency services who responded so swiftly, and to all those now caring for the injured.
“As the investigation continues, we must ensure justice is done and that every effort is made to keep the public safe.”
1h ago
Home secretary pays tribute to bravery of staff and passengers on train
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood paid tribute to the bravery of staff and passengers on the train and confirmed the attack was not being treated as terrorism.
She wrote on social media: “After last night’s horrific attack, my thoughts today are with the victims, their friends and family.
“My deepest thanks go to the British Transport Police, Cambridgeshire Police, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service and the East of England Ambulance Service. They responded rapidly, with the utmost professionalism and saved lives.
“I would also like to pay tribute to the exceptional bravery of staff and passengers on the train.
“We now know this attack is not being treated as terrorism, and that two British-born, British nationals have been arrested.
“The investigation is ongoing, and I am receiving regular updates from the police.”
1h ago
King and Queen express ‘deepest sympathy and thoughts’
The King and Queen have expressed their “deepest sympathy and thoughts” with those affected by the incident.
King Charles said in a statement: “My wife and I were truly appalled and shocked to hear of the dreadful knife attack that took place on board a train in Cambridgeshire last night.
“Our deepest sympathy and thoughts are with all those affected, and their loved ones.
“We are particularly grateful to the emergency services for their response to this awful incident.”
1h ago
Two people remain in a life-threatening condition
Ten people were taken to hospital following the incident. Nine of them were initially assessed to have life-threatening injuries.
Superintedent Loveless added that four people have now been discharged, and two people remain in a life-threatening condition.
1h ago
Two men in custody
“Within 8 minutes of the 999 call being made, two men were brought into police custody where they remain now.”
A 32 year old, Black British national and a 35 year old British national of Caribbean descent have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, Superintendent Loveless said.
Both men were born here.
1h ago
Mass stabbing not ‘a terrorist incident’
Superintendent John Loveless said: “At this stage there is nothing to suggest that this is a terrorist incident.
“This is a British Transport Police investigation and we continue to work to establish at pace the full circumstances and the motivations that have led to this incident.”
1h ago
British Transport Police share updates
British Transport Police Superintendent John Loveless is speaking outside Huntingdon station now.
1h ago
Conservative leader says ‘something going wrong’ with society
Kemi Badenoch said there was “clearly something going wrong with our society”, following the stabbings on a train near Huntingdon.
The Conservative leader said: “I know many people will be asking the same questions that I’m thinking of right now, which is, ‘why is it that despite so much activity, so much done, legislation to ban knives, so much investment in mental health, so much more, we’re seeing more and more violence on our streets?’
“How can we protect ourselves? What is causing this?
“Lots of people will be speculating.
“I think we should wait until more facts emerge, but there’s clearly something going wrong in our society right now, which I believe all politicians of all parties need to have a conversation about.”
She added: “We cannot be a country where people are innocently going about their business and facing this level of violent crime.
“It’s abhorrent, and it’s not something that we used to see before. What is causing it?”
1h ago
Is it time to let Britons carry self-defence tools like pepper spray?
Yesterday’s mass stabbing on a train from Doncaster to London is the fourth such incident this year alone. Since 2020, there have been fifteen. Since 1994, thirty-one. And in the reporting year ending March 2025, police recorded approximately 49,600 offences involving a sharp instrument in England and Wales.
That’s not a rounding error. That’s a crisis.
So where is the urgency? Where is the bold action? Where is the national conversation to ensure families never again receive the news that their loved one has been critically injured—or worse, killed—by a stranger with a knife?
Conservative Party member Harry Todd thinks it’s time to have a conversation about legalising pepper spray.
