It comes after a man is accused of 10 counts of attempted murder over a mass knife attack aboard a train
Extra police will be deployed across the nation’s train network after 11 people were injured in a knife attack in Cambridgeshire on Saturday (November 1). Disruption on the train line is expected to last until today (Monday, November 3), with Anthony Williams, 32, of Peterborough, accused of 10 counts of attempted murder, one count of actual bodily harm and one count of possession of bladed article following the attacks on the London North Eastern Railway (LNER) service from Doncaster to London King’s Cross.
The ‘surge’ in police presence will be seen in areas like London, Birmingham, York, Leeds and Manchester, as well as at Huntingdon. Commuters will also see officers on trains on the east coast mainline, with sources saying officers usually focus on stations but it was “important to reassure passengers”, reports PA.
Huntingdon railway station was still taped off by police on Sunday (November 2) morning, with the train in question still visible on the platform. There was also a heavy police presence around the station.
The road directly outside its car park, the A1307, was shut with police vehicles parked nearby. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “Passengers will see a high visibility presence of officers at stations and on trains throughout today who are there to reassure the public.”
Superintendent John Loveless from British Transport Police 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 added: “Our officers are there to reassure the public and to address any concerns they may have.”
A statement on the London North Eastern Railway (LNER) website states that disruption between London Kings Cross and Peterborough is expected until the end of Monday with Huntingdon station remaining closed until at least then.
It says: “The emergency services are continuing to deal with a major incident between Hitchin and Peterborough. Whilst they carry out their work some lines are still closed.
“Great Northern and Thameslink services will not call at Huntingdon. LNER services between London Kings Cross and Peterborough may be cancelled, revised or delayed.
“Disruption is expected until the end of the day on Monday 3 November. Grand Central and Hull Trains services are not impacted.”
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