Journalism of Courage
British police said on Sunday that a knife attack on a train that left 11 people injured was not being treated as a terrorist incident, as two British men were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
Superintendent John Loveless of the British Transport Police said counterterrorism officers had assisted in the early stages of the investigation but that “there is nothing to suggest that this is a terrorist incident.”
The two men arrested were identified as a 32-year-old Black British national and a 35-year-old British national of Caribbean descent, both born in the UK, Loveless said. He added it would be “inappropriate to speculate on the cause” of the attack.
The incident happened on Saturday aboard a London-bound train travelling through eastern England. The train made an emergency stop at Huntingdon, about 130 km (80 miles) north of London, where armed officers detained the suspects.
Police said 11 people were taken to the hospital after the stabbings. Four have since been discharged, while two remain in life-threatening condition.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the attack “an appalling incident” and said it was “deeply concerning.” Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood said she was “deeply saddened” and urged the public not to speculate.
King Charles expressed his sympathy in a message shared on the Royal Family’s official X account, saying he and Queen Camilla were “truly appalled and shocked” by the attack.
“Our deepest sympathy and thoughts are with all those affected, and their loved ones,” the King said, adding that the couple were “particularly grateful to the emergency services for their response.”
Witnesses described chaotic scenes on the train. One passenger told the BBC he saw “blood all over the chairs,” while another told Sky News that a suspect was waving a large knife before being subdued with a taser.
Britain’s current threat level from terrorism is rated as “substantial” by security services, meaning an attack is considered “likely,” Reuters reported. After a number of serious attacks in 2017, Britain has had some quieter years in the 2020s, although last month three people were killed when a synagogue was attacked in Manchester.
(With inputs from agencies)
