Anthony Williams, 32, from Peterborough, made his first court appearance on Monday amid mounting evidence connecting him to a series of alarming knife-related events culminating in a chaotic assault on a high-speed train. The proceedings at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court come just days after the Saturday evening incident that left 10 people injured on a London North Eastern Railway service from Doncaster to King’s Cross. Williams faces 11 counts of attempted murder, one count of actual bodily harm, and two counts of possession of a bladed article, with authorities probing potential ties to three additional disturbances in the Peterborough area.

The case gained fresh urgency with the release of surveillance footage capturing a man believed to be Williams entering Ritzy Barbers in Fletton, Peterborough, on Friday evening, October 31. The video, obtained exclusively by media outlets, shows the individual pacing outside the shop around 7:14 p.m., shortly after police responded to a report of a 14-year-old boy sustaining minor injuries in a city center altercation. In the clip, the man returns with a plastic bag, pauses to take a sip of a beverage, and then brandishes a large knife while shouting profanities such as “f*** your mum” and “liars” before stepping inside. Employees and customers inside the barbershop can be seen scrambling to safety as the confrontation unfolds, though no serious injuries were reported from this specific encounter.

Cambridgeshire Police confirmed they received a call about the barbershop disturbance at 9:25 a.m. on Saturday—nearly two hours after the initial footage timestamp—but officers arrived 18 minutes later without locating the suspect. A “crime was raised,” but no immediate deployment occurred at the time of the Friday incident. The force is now reviewing all reports from the preceding 48 hours to determine if further offenses warrant charges. “We are currently reviewing all incidents in the timeframe to understand whether there were any further potential offences,” a spokesperson stated, emphasizing a thorough examination of patterns.

This barbershop episode forms part of a broader timeline under scrutiny. On the same Friday evening, just minutes before the footage, authorities were alerted to the stabbing of the 14-year-old in Peterborough’s city center. The boy received treatment for non-life-threatening wounds at a local hospital. Earlier that morning, British Transport Police identified Williams as a person of interest in a separate altercation at Pontoon Dock in east London, where a man sustained facial injuries from a blade around 12:46 a.m. Detectives believe Williams may have been involved in yet another sighting of a man with a knife at the same barbershop location, reported the following morning. These connections, if substantiated, paint a picture of escalating activity leading into the weekend’s high-profile event.

The train assault occurred aboard the 18:25 GMT LNER service, shortly after departing Peterborough station around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 1. Passengers described a scene of pandemonium as a man wielding a knife moved through carriages, targeting individuals indiscriminately. Eyewitness accounts, shared in media interviews, recount shouts of “Run, there’s a guy stabbing everyone” echoing down the aisles. One victim, Stephen Crean, a Nottingham Forest supporter in his 30s, recounted how he intervened when the attacker approached a young girl, resulting in a severe hand injury from a “sliced” wound during a brief struggle. “I blocked him from getting to her,” Crean told reporters, now recovering alongside others.

Among the injured were Jonathan Gjoshe, a 22-year-old Scunthorpe United footballer, and a member of the train staff who remains in critical but stable condition as of Monday. British Transport Police reported that 10 individuals were hospitalized—nine transported by ambulance and one who self-presented—with four still under care. The remaining six have been discharged. Initial arrests included two British men in their 30s, but only Williams was charged; the other was released without further action. Officers deployed a Taser to subdue the suspect near Huntingdon station, where he was apprehended behind bins after passengers alerted authorities.

Williams, appearing via video link from custody, spoke only to confirm his name, age, and address during the brief hearing. Dressed in a gray sweatshirt, he showed no visible emotion as District Judge Lee Finch remanded him in custody. The next appearance is scheduled for November 17 at Cambridge Crown Court, where more detailed evidence will be presented. Prosecutors from the Crown Prosecution Service have indicated the charges stem from two distinct stabbing episodes: the train incident and the earlier London transport attack. No motive has been publicly disclosed, and authorities have ruled out terrorism as a factor, describing it as an isolated act of violence.

The barbershop footage, circulating widely on social media and news platforms, has amplified public concern over knife crime in the UK. Shared by users like journalist Garry Pickles, the clip depicts the man—allegedly Williams—entering the premises at 7:20 p.m., knife extended, as staff retreat. Witnesses in the shop later told investigators they felt immediate threat but managed to de-escalate without physical contact. Neighbor Filomena Campanaro, who resides next door, recalled seeing the same individual pass by the following morning, adding to the sense of a persistent presence in the area.

This incident arrives against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny on public safety and policing response times. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood addressed Parliament on Monday, praising the train staff member’s bravery: “He put himself in harm’s way, suffered grievous injuries as a result, and remains in hospital today, in a critical but stable condition. On Saturday, he went to work to do his job—today, he is a hero, and forever will be.” Mahmood stressed the ongoing investigation’s limitations but affirmed the government’s commitment to tackling blade offenses. In the past year, knife-enabled crimes in England and Wales rose by 7%, with transport hubs identified as vulnerable spots.

Cambridgeshire Constabulary’s review extends to operational protocols, particularly the delay in responding to the barbershop report. Chief Constable Nick Dean acknowledged the lapse in a statement: “We are working closely with our partners to ensure all reports are actioned appropriately.” Community leaders in Peterborough, a diverse city of over 200,000, have called for enhanced patrols and youth intervention programs. Local MP Lisa Forbes echoed these sentiments, noting the ripple effects on families: “Events like this shatter trust and instill fear— we must act decisively.”

Williams’ background remains largely private, with court records showing no prior convictions publicly linked to him at this stage. Peterborough, known for its industrial heritage and rail connectivity, has seen sporadic violence but nothing on this scale recently. The LNER train, a staple for commuters and travelers, underwent a full security sweep post-incident, resuming service after clearance.

As the investigation unfolds, support networks have mobilized. Victim Care East Anglia is providing counseling to those affected, while the British Transport Police Benevolent Fund has launched appeals for the injured staffer. Online, hashtags like #TrainAttack and #KnifeCrimeUK trend, blending calls for justice with debates on prevention. One viral post from a passenger read: “From a peaceful journey to survival mode in seconds—how many more warnings do we need?”

This sequence of events—from the city center altercation to the barbershop intrusion and the train chaos—highlights vulnerabilities in urban and transit safety. Experts from the College of Policing advocate for AI-enhanced CCTV monitoring and rapid-response apps to bridge reporting gaps. In a nation where stop-and-search powers were expanded last year to curb blades, incidents like this test enforcement efficacy.

For the victims, recovery is both physical and emotional. Crean, speaking from his hospital bed, emphasized resilience: “We can’t let this define us, but we must demand change.” Gjoshe, the young athlete, faces weeks sidelined but vows a return to the pitch. The unnamed train worker’s family issued a statement thanking well-wishers: “His selflessness saved lives—we’re holding onto hope.”

Williams’ court date looms as a checkpoint in a narrative still developing. With forensics ongoing and witness statements pouring in, prosecutors aim to solidify links across the incidents. For Peterborough’s residents, the footage serves as a stark reminder: Ordinary spaces can turn perilous in an instant. As one shop owner near Ritzy Barbers put it, “We lock up tighter now, but the fear lingers.” In the quest for answers, this case may spur reforms, ensuring the next Friday evening haircut remains just that—routine.