Huntingdon train stabbings: 5 new things we know after major police update

Police have issued a fresh update on a multiple stabbing on a train between Doncaster and London which took place yesterday. British Transport Police (BTP) Superintendent John Loveless spoke to reporters at Huntingdon Station this morning. He said: "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. He added that Huntingdon Station remains closed but trains will be passing through."

The King said in a message released by Buckingham Palace: "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."

Below is a roundup of what we learned from the latest briefing.

Superintendent Loveless said: "Two men were brought into police custody, where they remain this morning."

They have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

The two individuals are a 32-year-old black British national and a 35-year-old British national of Caribbean descent, police said.

Superintendent Loveles said: "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."

Superintendent Loveless confirmed that 11 people had been treated in hospital and two remained in a "life-threatening condition", while four had been discharged.

He said: "Ten people were taken to hospital by ambulance and another person self-presented later that evening.

"While nine were initially believed to have life-threatening injuries following assessment and treatment four, thankful to say, have been discharged.

"However, two patients remain in a life-threatening condition."

Superintendent Loveless told reporters that counter-terrorism police had initially supported the operation but the incident was now not being treated as terrorism-related.

He said: "British Transport Police declared a major incident yesterday, and counter-terrorism policing were initially supporting our investigation.

"However, 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.

"At this early stage, it would not be appropriate to speculate on the cause of this incident."

Police confirmed that the incident happened on the 18:25 from Doncaster.

Superintendent Loveless said: "The train departed Doncaster at 6.25pm, and was en route to London Kings Cross Station."

The officer added: "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."

Superintendent Loveless added that passengers could expect to see a "high visibility presence of police officers at stations and on trains throughout today, up and down the transport network."

He said: "Our officers are there to reassure the public and to address any concerns they may have."

The officer then thanked the public, who had already "greatly assisted our investigation", and extended thanks to others working in emergency services, including Cambridgeshire police officers, the East of the East of England Ambulance Service, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, and counter-terrorism officers.

"Finally, I'd like to appeal for anyone that's watching who has information connected to yesterday's incident, however big or small you feel that may be, that has not yet spoken to police, to make contact," Superintendent Loveless added.

He said people could text British Transport Police on 61016 quoting reference 663.