HUNTINGDON Train attack 

Information as at 2nd November

 

The last major UK train stabbing before the 1 November 2025 Cambridgeshire attack occurred in January 2019. There have been at least four significant train-related stabbings in the UK over the past decade.

Here's a breakdown of notable incidents:

 Major UK Train Stabbings (2015–2025)

1 Nov 2025: LNER train near Huntingdon 11  injured (9 critical). Mass stabbing aboard high-speed train; two suspects arrested. Authorities have stated the attack is not being treated as terrorism at this stage.
 
4 Jan 2019: London Victoria to Horsham .1 killed, 1 injured Lee Pomeroy fatally stabbed in front of his son; attacker convicted 
 
Dec 2016:  Forest Hill station, London, 1 injured. Knife attack on train platform; attacker shouted extremist slogans
 
Dec 2015:  Leytonstone station, London, 1 injured. Knife attack in Tube station; attacker shouted “This is for Syria”
 
 Summary
  • Total major incidents: At least 4 in the last 10 years.

 

  • Fatalities: 1 confirmed death (Lee Pomeroy, 2019).

 

  • Most severe: 2025 Cambridgeshire attack, with 11 injured, 9 critically.

 

These figures reflect only high-profile or widely reported incidents. Lesser-known or localised stabbings may not be included in public databases or media coverage.

 

 Why the “not terrorism” label raises questions

Many observers—including legal analysts and community advocates—note that:

  • Terrorism definitions in UK law hinge on intent to intimidate the public or influence government policy, not just ideology or ethnicity.

 

  • Past cases involving white perpetrators have also been labelled “non-terrorist” despite mass violence, leading to accusations of inconsistent application.

 

  • Community impact: Some feel that emphasising ethnicity without motive risks racial profiling, while others argue that downplaying motive can obscure systemic threats.

What might be going on behind the scenes

  • Investigative caution: Police may be withholding judgment until digital evidence, mental health assessments, or affiliations are confirmed.

 

  • Political sensitivity: Labelling something “terrorism” triggers national security protocols and media framing -sometimes avoided unless absolutely necessary.

 

  • Public trust: The lack of transparency can fuel suspicion, especially when communities feel historically targeted or misrepresented.

 

The Cambridgeshire train stabbing is being handled by the British Transport Police (BTP), with support from Counter Terrorism Policing. As of August 2025, UK police forces follow new interim guidance that encourages - but does not require - disclosure of suspects’ ethnicity and nationality in high-profile cases.

 

Who's leading the investigation?

  • Primary force: British Transport Police (BTP) received the emergency call at 7:42pm on 1 November 2025 and are leading the response.

 

  • Support: Counter Terrorism Policing is assisting, though the incident is not currently classified as terrorism.

 

  • Local coordination: Cambridgeshire Constabulary was first on scene at Huntingdon station, but BTP retains jurisdiction over rail incidents.

 

Ethnicity disclosure: how often and why?

As of August 2025, UK police forces operate under interim national guidance issued by the College of Policing and the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC). Here's how it works:

When ethnicity is disclosed

 

  • Only at point of charge, not arrest.

 

  • Only if there's a “policing purpose”, such as:

    • High public interest or sensitivity

    • Risk of misinformation or unrest

    • Threats to public safety

How often is it disclosed?

 

 

 

  • Inconsistent historically: Prior to 2025, disclosure varied widely by force and case.

 

  • Post-guidance trend: Ethnicity is now more likely to be disclosed in high-profile cases, but still at the discretion of the force.

  • Immigration status is explicitly excluded from disclosure under the new rules.

This means that while ethnicity was named in the Cambridgeshire case, it’s not automatic - and the decision reflects both public pressure and internal policy shifts.

 

 

Key Convictions Involving Illegal Immigrants

(2024–2025)

Here are some of the most widely reported cases:

1. Safi Dawood (Afghan national)

  • Charges: Murder, two attempted murders, possession of offensive weapon.

  • Incident: Triple stabbing in Uxbridge; one man killed, a boy injured, and a dog walker fatally attacked.

  • Status: Awaiting verdict.

 

2. Haybe Cabdiraxmaan Nur (Somalian national)

  • Crime: Murder of Gurvinder Singh Johal, a father-of-three, at a Lloyds Bank.

  • Entry: Entered UK illegally.

  • Outcome: Convicted.

 

3. Operation Sterling (Home Office crackdown)

  • Arrests: Over 8,000 illegal migrants arrested between Oct 2024–Sept 2025.

  • Raids: 11,000 enforcement actions targeting illegal workers in fast food, beauty salons, and car washes.

 

4. Foreign nationals with prior convictions

  • Findings: 911 foreign nationals arrested in the UK were found to have prior convictions abroad:

    • 359 for murder/manslaughter

    • 239 for rape

    • 313 for child sex offences

  • Countries: Many from Eastern Europe, including 409 from Romania.

 

5. Hotel asylum seekers

  • Snapshot: 312 asylum seekers charged with 708 offences over three years.

  • Crimes: Rape, sexual assault, attacking emergency workers, theft.

 

6. Smuggling conspiracy

  • Defendants: Daniel Loughran and Eoin Nolan convicted of smuggling migrants (including children) hidden in a lorry.

  • Trial: Maidstone Crown Court, Feb 2025

Notes on Data and Framing

  • No official central list: These cases are compiled from media and government reports, not a public database.

  • Ethical caution: While these incidents are serious, it's important to avoid generalizing or stigmatizing entire groups based on individual crimes.

  • GB News framing: Their coverage often emphasises border control and public safety, but may omit broader context on immigration policy or legal outcomes.

 

 

JAOC Statement:

Challenging Silence, Demanding Clarity

JAOC exists to question the official narrative - because too often, the public is left with headlines instead of answers. We’ve seen a pattern of serious incidents met with vague statements, withheld details, and procedural opacity. The Cambridgeshire train stabbing on 1 November 2025 is the latest example. Eleven injured, nine critically, and yet police insist it’s “not terrorism.” Two suspects are held, their ethnicity disclosed, but motive remains unspoken. This selective framing raises urgent questions - not just about the incident, but about how information is managed.

We’ve seen this before. In Southport, a violent attack involving a foreign national was downplayed despite community concern. At Bell Hotel, police failed to release even basic procedural information after a serious assault - no timeline, no suspect description, no safeguarding updates. The Edinburgh decapitation case remains shrouded in ambiguity, with authorities withholding forensic context, motive, and public safety implications. These aren’t isolated lapses - they’re part of a systemic reluctance to inform.

JAOC challenges this silence. We ask;  why are some cases fast-tracked for public clarity while others are buried in euphemism? Why is ethnicity disclosed in some arrests but not others? Why do safeguarding protocols vanish when the victim is vulnerable, the location is public, or the attacker’s background complicates the narrative?

We do not speculate - we investigate. We map timelines, cross-reference statements, and demand consistency. Whether the issue is immigration enforcement, mental health, or institutional accountability, the public deserves facts - not filtered fragments.

JAOC calls on police forces, local authorities, and media outlets to uphold transparency as a civic duty. We will continue to track, document, and expose where silence serves power instead of truth.

Check out freedom of information challenges here