Christian leaders in the United Kingdom have called for prayer after a knife attack left 11 people injured aboard a moving train in England on Saturday evening, Nov. 1. The attack — described by police as “horrific” — took place on a London North Eastern Railway (LNER) service traveling from Doncaster to London King’s Cross, prompting an emergency stop at Huntingdon station in Cambridgeshire where armed officers arrested a suspect.

Authorities said a member of the train staff is in critical condition after heroically intervening to protect passengers. British Transport Police identified the suspect as Anthony Williams, 32, of Langford Road, Peterborough. He faces 10 counts of attempted murder, one count of actual bodily harm, and possession of a bladed article related to the train attack, along with additional charges for a separate stabbing incident at Pontoon Dock DLR station earlier the same day. Williams was scheduled to appear at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court at the time of publication.

Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Cundy said police were committed to ensuring justice for the victims and urged the public to avoid speculation that could jeopardize ongoing legal proceedings.

“Our investigation is also looking at other possible linked offences,” Cundy said. “Following the charges authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service, I would stress the importance of not saying or publishing anything which might jeopardise or prejudice ongoing criminal proceedings, or the integrity of the investigation.”

The Rt. Rev. Dagmar Winter, Bishop of Huntingdon, called for prayer following the tragedy. Writing on the Diocese of Ely’s Facebook page yesterday (Nov. 2), she said prayers on Sunday were focused on “all those affected by the deeply distressing Cambridgeshire train attack.”

“We pray especially for those who have been injured, those in hospital, their family and friends, and we thank the emergency services and all those who are caring for victims of that appalling violence,” Winter said. “Our prayers are an expression of love and commitment to what is good and right, an expression of hope in a God who is stronger than violence and darkness, and a commitment to living in a way where all human life is cherished.”

Dr. Krish Kandiah OBE, founder and director of the Sanctuary Foundation, which supports refugees from Ukraine, Afghanistan and other countries, also reflected on the tragedy, praising the bravery and compassion of bystanders.

“Amid the terrible news of this attack on the train, we are also hearing stories of remarkable bravery and compassion,” Kandiah wrote on LinkedIn. “In the face of fear and violence, ordinary people have shown extraordinary courage — helping strangers, comforting the injured, and standing together against chaos.”

“Moments like this remind us of the strange and sobering truth about humanity: we are capable of both great cruelty and great kindness. The same world that witnesses acts of hatred also witnesses acts of selfless love. The same hands that destroy can also heal,” he said.

He added that the response of emergency personnel and civilians alike demonstrated “what it means to put others before ourselves” in moments of crisis.