Huntingdon train stabbing: What security is there on trains and which services are disrupted today?
Passengers waiting to travel on East Coast Main Line services have been warned of continued disruption following a mass stabbing on a train from Doncaster to London on Saturday evening.
While the British Transport Police (BTP) confirmed that the life of two people remained in danger after the bloody attack, it was stated that two British citizens were also arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
LNER, which operates the majority of intercity trains on Britain’s flagship route, said the disruption to services between London Kings Cross and Yorkshire was likely to last until Monday.
LNER Managing Director David Horne said: “We are deeply shocked and saddened by this serious incident and our thoughts are with everyone involved.
“The safety and well-being of everyone affected remains our priority. We will continue to do everything we can to support our customers and colleagues during this difficult time.”
What do we know about the train in question? What precautions are taken for passenger safety? So what is the impact of train services today?
Simon Calder is at London King’s Cross station, the train’s intended destination.
What service was involved?
The train involved in the 1 November incident was an LNER train departing from Doncaster in South Yorkshire to London King’s Cross at 18.25. He left on time and called at Retford, Newark, Grantham and Peterborough.
The service departed Peterborough at 19.30. Another call was expected in Stevenage 28 minutes later and arrival in the capital was planned for 8.23pm.
The train was planned to run 195 miles per hour through Huntingdon on an express route with no platform access.
While the attack was taking place, the LNER train driver, control room and Network Rail signalmen, with the participation of armed police, managed to divert the train onto the slow line and stop it at the first possible station within 14 minutes of leaving Peterborough.
This was an extraordinarily quick response. The outcome could have been much worse if the train had either stopped so close to the station that access and escape would have been difficult, or had continued towards Stevenage.
What kind of security is there on trains?
CCTV cameras are standard on trains, but passengers are particularly vulnerable to attackers when traveling at 195 miles per hour in an enclosed space.
Currently the only pre-boarding check for passengers is at London St Pancras International Airport, with all Eurostar passengers and their luggage checked before departing for Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam. This is because the Channel Tunnel is perceived as a major terrorist target.
For trains within the UK, British Transport Police patrol trains and stations, but the force has fewer than 3,000 officers on a network that handles five million journeys a day. BTP says patrols will be increased over the next few days.
Transport minister Heidi Alexander said passengers would see a “high visibility police presence” at railway stations and on trains on Sunday “to reassure the public”.
He added: “My thoughts are with those affected by the shocking incident in Huntingdon last night, especially those still in hospital today.
“I would like to express my enormous gratitude to the responding staff and officers and the public for their patience and cooperation.
“Trains are running in the area but Huntingdon station remains closed due to trains passing through.
“Passengers will see high visibility of officers at stations and on trains throughout today to reassure the public.”
Railway companies will consider increasing the number of security personnel on trains. There are likely to be calls for airport-style security checks before boarding trains. However, considering the large number of passengers and the restrictions at the stations, this does not seem practical.
What do unions demand?
The leader of the largest railway union, RMT, praised the “professionalism, courage and determination” of workers who responded to the knife attack.
General Secretary Eddie Dempsey added: “I will be holding urgent meetings with the government, rail employers and the police to ensure we have the strongest possible support, resources and robust procedures to protect our members and the traveling public.”
The TSSA union, which represents white-collar railway staff, stressed the “urgent need for preventive measures, increased security and zero tolerance for aggression in our transport system.” The union is seeking assurances that “the rail workforce will receive all necessary support, including counseling and leave where necessary”.
What is the impact of travel today?
As police continue to investigate a stabbing attack on a train terminating at Huntingdon station, rail passengers have been warned: “LNER services between London Kings Cross and Peterborough may be cancelled, revised or postponed.”
The train, which was the scene of the crime, is still blocking one stretch of the East Coast Main Line at Huntingdon and slowing services.
The route normally connects London King’s Cross with Yorkshire, north-east England and Scotland, but planned engineering works in the York area mean no trains will run beyond Doncaster.
Due to a number of cancellations, some LNER trains are making extra runs, causing delays.
The rail firm says: “Rail replacement buses will run in both directions between Newark Northgate and Lincoln to replace canceled train services on this route.”
LNER tickets for Saturday or Sunday can be used on Monday or Tuesday, but train operators recommend making new reservations.
Services between London King’s Cross at Grand Central and West Yorkshire and Hull Trains are close to normal.
Are train drivers taught to deal with such situations?
Train drivers are highly trained to deal with all kinds of unusual situations and emergency scenarios. It’s all about safety, and it’s crucial that passengers get to the safest possible location as quickly as possible.
In this incident the driver, along with LNER crew and control room staff, as well as Network Rail, responded with great skill and professionalism.
