Huntingdon practice assault noticed victims ‘run, defend and conceal’ – skilled shares what you need to do
Experts revealed how to react if you’re in the midst of horror stabbing attack while on a train. It comes after 10 people were terrifyingly stabbed on a LNER train last night
In full: Police statement on Huntingdon train stabbings
Britain stands in a state of shock today after multiple people were stabbed aboard a train yesterday evening (November 1). It has now been confirmed that 10 people were injured, with two remaining in serious condition in hospital.
Police raced to the scene in minutes after terrified and trapped passengers alerted the emergency services, before the train was able to pull into Huntingdon station.
Two men – a black British male, 32, and a 35-year-old man of Caribbean descent, also a British national – were arrested for the chilling stabbing spree.
It is believed that the attack occurred after the LNER train, bound for London Kings Cross, left Peterborough, which essentially left those on board with no where to run.
Many eye witness accounts have shared that people ran to either end of the train as a “horror scene” unfolded on public transport, with some hiding in the toilets or in the train’s buffet carriage.
Some even tried to confront the attacker, with an older man stabbed in the throat and neck for defending a young woman. What happened on the LNER train last night is something that none of us in Britain could ever imagine happening here.
While this attack was extremely rare, what do you do if ever put in such a situation? Run, defend or hide?
We previously heard from Andrew Holland – of The Self Defence Expert blog – who explained how to react to such an extremely terrifying situation in light of last year’s Beckenham train attack.
The expert said that fighting back against a knife-wielding attacker is “pretty stupid” in certain contexts including street robberies, when “doing as they say” will be a “core tactic for survival”.
And according to Brixton Krav Maga, a London-based self defence centre, “aggression should be used only as a last resort” when defending yourself in the context of a knife attack.
“Once you become aware of a potential knife threat, keep as much distance between you and the person as possible. Speaking calmly, but firmly, tell them to stop and ask them what they want,” they write.
“If they intend to rob you, placing your wallet or jewellery on the floor and backing up might satisfy them. They could be angry with you for some reason. When that is the case, you might be able to apologise and talk them down.”
If this isn’t possible, Brixton Krav Maga advises “shout for help and make your escape”, grabbing any potential weapons you can use as you do so.
People are advised to target “vulnerable areas” if you’re forced to fight, and “focus on the hand holding the knife” when trying to disarm.
Holland says “you are extremely unlikely to be able to parry, deflect or stop a knife attack at close range”. “Even grabbing the arm of the attacker is extremely unlikely,” he says.
He adds running away is useful if you’re “fast” but, if someone is intent on attacking you, “you are more likely to be able to defend yourself by picking up a weapon”.
Earlier today, British Transport Police Superintendent John Loveless said “it is a shocking incident” as he added that it was “not appropriate” to speculate on the “cause” of the stabbings were. However, he said there was nothing to suggest the attack was a terror incident.
