Police are investigating possible links between the stabbing of a 14-year-old boy in Peterborough and the knife attack at Huntingdon railway station.
Cambridgeshire Constabulary confirmed to Charity Today that three incidents in Peterborough on Friday evening (31 October) and Saturday morning (1 November) may be connected to the suspect involved in the Huntingdon attack. The confirmation follows Charity Today’s earlier UK exclusive reporting on the barber shop incidents in Fletton, Peterborough.
The first incident occurred at a barber shop in Fletton at around 7.25pm on Friday when a man armed with a knife entered the premises. The report was made to police more than two hours later, after the suspect had left. Officers did not attend at the time but recorded the incident as a crime.
The same barbers contacted police again at 9.25am the following morning when the man reportedly returned. Officers arrived within 18 minutes but were unable to locate him.
Just minutes before the first Fletton report, a 14-year-old boy was stabbed by a man with a knife in Peterborough city centre. The teenager was taken to Peterborough City Hospital with minor injuries and has since been discharged.
British Transport Police are leading the wider investigation, which includes the Peterborough incidents as part of a review into events leading up to the mass stabbing at Huntingdon railway station.
Cambridgeshire Constabulary said it had voluntarily referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct for independent scrutiny, describing the move as standard practice.
A spokesperson for the force said:
“We are working closely with British Transport Police to understand the full circumstances of these incidents. We voluntarily referred ourselves to the IOPC for independent scrutiny of these incidents, as is standard practice in these cases. However, the referral did not meet the criteria for a valid referral, so they are not investigating the matter.”
Detectives are continuing enquiries to establish whether the same suspect is responsible for both the Peterborough and Huntingdon attacks.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Cambridgeshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Editor’s note:
Charity Today acknowledges and appreciates the detailed statement provided by police regarding the incidents in Peterborough on 31 October and 1 November. We have great respect for the transparency and honesty shown in the response. It is clear that the force is taking the review process seriously and is committed to accountability through its voluntary referral to the IOPC for independent scrutiny.
Charity Today does not suggest any wrongdoing by individuals or agencies named in this report.
