Man alleges racial bias after train stabbing arrest

A man who was arrested and released with no further action after a mass stabbing on a train complained that officers were influenced by racial bias.

People on the 18:25 GMT LNER service from Doncaster to London King's Cross were seriously injured shortly after the train left Peterborough on Saturday, 1 November. Armed police met the train when it made an unscheduled stop at Huntingdon.

At the time, police said two men, a 32-year-old black British national and a 35-year-old British national of Caribbean descent, both born in the UK, had been arrested at the station.

Anthony Williams, 32, was charged with 10 counts of attempted murder and is due to go on trial in October. The 35-year-old man, who has not been named, was released after officers established he was not involved.

He has made a complaint to police about his arrest, including the force used by officers, his detention in custody and an allegation that officers' actions were influenced by racial bias.

Cambridgeshire Police acknowledged a complaint had been received and investigated by its Professional Standards Department.

"The conclusion of this was that the service received was acceptable in line with policy and procedure," a spokesperson said.

The 35-year-old has now appealed the decision to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

A spokesperson said the police watchdog "received a review request from a man who was unsatisfied with the handling of a complaint" made to Cambridgeshire Police.

"The complaint related to their arrest on 1 November 2025 at Huntingdon train station, including the force used by officers, their detention in police custody and an allegation that the officers' actions were influenced by racial bias," the IOPC said.

The review will only determine whether the force's handling of the complaint, or its outcome, was "reasonable and proportionate". It cannot reinvestigate the complaint.

On Tuesday, the provisional trial date for Williams was moved from June to October at Cambridge Crown Court due to further reports being needed.

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