The Crime Agents Special episode: could the mass train stabbing have been prevented?
Nov 3, 2025
A train guard fights for his life after a shocking stabbing incident in Cambridgeshire. The accused has a troubling history, raising questions about possible prevention measures. Discussions delve into the appropriate level of police presence on public transport. The hosts tackle whether the incident should be classified as terrorism and if disclosing the suspect's ethnicity was justified. Practical solutions to reduce knife violence are debated, along with the balance of safety and civil liberties.
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Train Driver's Quick Decision Saved Lives
- An LNER train from Peterborough to London had a stabbing where the driver diverted the train to Huntington to help get passengers to safety.
- Armed officers arrived and the suspect was tasered and arrested eight minutes after the first call.
Passenger Confrontation With Attacker
- Passenger Stephen Crean confronted the attacker and sustained wounds including many stitches to his head.
- He described a close struggle and the attacker repeatedly asking "do you want to die?"
Investigations Focus On Past Interventions
- Neil Basu says the first question after such attacks is whether the suspect was known and if earlier interventions were missed.
- He stresses profiling and forensic review of a suspect's history to spot intervention points like mental health or policing gaps.
