UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander says airport-style metal detectors at UK train stations would disrupt passengers, pledging a review of security.
As reported by The Guardian, Heidi Alexander said metal detectors at train stations would make “life impossible,” and a security review will explore alternatives after a Cambridgeshire train attack.
Her comments came after 11 people were hospitalized following a mass stabbing on a high-speed train from Doncaster to London on Saturday, 1 November, with one rail worker remaining in critical condition.
What did Heidi Alexander say about train station security?
Heidi Alexander said a train worker who intervened to protect passengers on a Cambridgeshire service remains critically ill, though stable.
The Transport Secretary confirmed that British Transport Police will maintain visible patrols at stations over the coming days to reassure passengers, while ruling out airport-style scanners or security arches.
She said,
“I don’t think airport-style scanners would be the way to go. I understand why you asked the question, and I understand why some of your viewers might be wondering about that.”
Ms Alexander stated,
“We have thousands of railway stations across the UK, and those stations have multiple entrances, multiple platforms. What we can’t do is make life impossible for everyone, but we do need to take sensible and proportionate steps to make the public transport network safe.”
She said a review of train security could suggest additional measures, citing the 2017 London Bridge attack, after which vehicle blockers were installed on several bridges.
When questioned about additional steps, the transport secretary said that despite the horrific attack, public transport generally remains a “low-crime environment.”
Ms Alexander added,
“Our trains are some of the most safest forms of public transport anywhere in the world. For every 1 million passenger journeys that are made, there are 27 crimes.”
She said the arrested man
“was not known to counter-terrorism police, he was not known to the security services, and he was not known to the Prevent programme.”
When questioned about the suspect’s mental health history, she replied,
“I’m not in a position to share any more information about the individual, I’m afraid.”
Ms Alexander praised the train staff and emergency teams for their swift response, saying,
“Most of all, I would like to say thank you to the emergency services and the one individual who is still critically ill in hospital, who is stable, I’m pleased to say.
She added,
“But he went into work that morning to work on that train service, to serve passengers, and he put himself in harm’s way. There are people who are alive today because of his actions and his bravery.”
When and where did the train stabbing incident occur?
The mass stabbing occurred on 1 November at 6:25 pm aboard the LNER train from Doncaster to London King’s Cross.
Authorities were called at 7.42 pm on Saturday after reports of multiple stabbings on the train, which passengers said began shortly after leaving Peterborough station.
The driver stopped the train at Huntingdon station, where police and medical teams were waiting to rescue victims.
What did Stuart Cundy say about the train attack?
Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Cundy, of BTP, stated,
“This was a horrific attack that has had a wide impact. My thoughts and those of everyone in British Transport Police are with those injured and their families – especially the brave member of rail staff whose family are being supported by specialist officers.”
He added,
“Having viewed the CCTV from the train, the actions of the member of rail staff were nothing short of heroic and undoubtedly saved people’s lives.”
How did UK leaders react to the Cambridgeshire train attack?
King Charles stated,
“My wife and I were truly appalled and shocked to hear of the dreadful knife attack that took place on board a train in Cambridgeshire last night. Our deepest sympathy and thoughts are with all those affected, and their loved ones.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the attack “appalling” and “deeply concerning”.
He added,
“My thoughts are with all those affected, and my thanks go to the emergency services for their response.”
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said,
“After last night’s horrific attack, my thoughts today are with the victims, their friends and family.”
She added,
“We now know this attack is not being treated as terrorism, and that two British-born, British nationals have been arrested.”
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch added,
“This is an absolutely horrific attack and my thoughts are with all those affected including the emergency responders at the scene.”
How many knife crimes were recorded in the UK in 2025?
In 2025, there were approximately 51,527 knife-enabled offences recorded in the UK, which include stabbings and other crimes involving knives or sharp objects.
London recorded approximately 14,577 knife crime offences, including stabbings, making it the city with the highest number of knife crimes in Britain.