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Police investigating whether Huntingdon attack could have been stopped days earlier

Cambridgeshire Police said it was investigating whether an incident is connected to the mass stabbing on an LNER train service

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Forensic police officers examine the LNER train as it sits in Huntingdon Station after a stabbing attack on November.
Forensic police officers examine the LNER train as it sits in Huntingdon Station after a stabbing attack on November. Picture: Getty

By Alice Padgett

Two police officers are being investigated for potential gross misconduct over alleged failures to properly investigate an attack potentially linked to the Huntingdon stabbings.

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Ricky Butcher said he was outside Fletton Club in Peterborough waiting for a taxi with a group of people when a man stabbed him on September 27.

He previously said he needed stitches for a cut to his mouth and his face is "numb, and probably always will be, due to the cut".

Mr Butcher said he was "fuming" that Cambridgeshire Police dropped their investigation two days later and that they "could have taken it more seriously - I had five witnesses with me".

Read More: King meets Huntingdon train attack hero during special Buckingham Palace reception

Read More: Man, 32, charged with ten counts of attempted murder following Huntingdon train knife rampage

Police are looking into claims Huntingdon train stabbing suspect Anthony Williams is 'linked to three other knife crimes' the day before he allegedly stabbed 10 people.
Police are looking into claims Huntingdon train stabbing suspect Anthony Williams is 'linked to three other knife crimes' the day before he allegedly stabbed 10 people. Picture: LBC

Cambridgeshire Police said in November it was investigating whether the September incident is connected to the mass stabbing on an LNER train service from Doncaster to King's Cross on November 1, as part of an internal review into prior contact with the man accused of the attack.

The force referred itself to the IOPC later that month after a complaint was made over its handling of the Fletton Club incident.

An IOPC spokesperson said on Thursday: "Our independent investigation into the police complaint from a man who was injured during a reported assault incident in Fletton, Peterborough on 27 September 2025 is progressing.

"The complaint relates to Cambridgeshire Constabulary's investigation into the incident at the time.

Police officers and members of the Emergency services search the track beneath an LNER Azuma train at Huntingdon Station.
Police officers and members of the Emergency services search the track beneath an LNER Azuma train at Huntingdon Station. Picture: Getty
Forensic police is investigating and taking photos of some of the findings near the train in Huntingdon.
Forensic police is investigating and taking photos of some of the findings near the train in Huntingdon. Picture: Getty

"In January, we notified two Cambridgeshire police constables that they are being investigated for potential gross misconduct, which relates to alleged failures to properly investigate the incident.

"This does not mean that disciplinary proceedings will necessarily follow.

"At the end of our investigation, we'll decide whether any officers should face disciplinary proceedings.

"Our investigation began following a referral from the force in November 2025."

Anthony Williams, 32, is charged with 10 counts of attempted murder over the Huntingdon incident.