Two people have been arrested after “multiple people” were stabbed on board a train in Cambridgeshire, prompting a major emergency response and shutting down rail services in the area.

British Transport Police said an LNER service was stopped at Huntingdon on Friday evening after reports of several passengers being attacked. Armed officers boarded the train and arrested two men following 999 calls at 19:39 GMT.

More than 30 officers were deployed to the scene, though police have not yet confirmed how many victims there are or the extent of their injuries.

A Cambridgeshire Police spokesperson said: "Two men have been arrested by police this evening after more than 30 officers were called to Huntingdon Train Station.

"We were called at 7.39pm with reports that multiple people had been stabbed on a train. The incident remains ongoing and the A1307 has been closed as you approach the town centre."

Videos posted on social media showed armed officers running along the platform and a large police presence outside the station.

The LNER website confirmed “emergency services are dealing with an incident between Stevenage and Peterborough”, with all lines currently closed. “Trains running between these stations may be delayed by up to 60 minutes or revised. Major disruption is expected until the end of the day”, the operator said.

An East of England Ambulance Service spokesperson said it received "reports that multiple people had been stabbed on a train".

"We mobilised a large-scale response to Huntingdon Railway Station. We can confirm we have transported multiple patients to hospital."

Critical care teams, including the East Anglian Air Ambulance and Essex and Herts Air Ambulance, also attended the scene.

Senior politicians have reacted to the stabbing incident on board a train near Huntingdon, describing the unfolding situation as deeply disturbing.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has also reacted:

"The appalling incident on a train near Huntingdon is deeply concerning. My thoughts are with all those affected, and my thanks go to the emergency services for their response. Anyone in the area should follow the advice of the police."

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said:

"I am deeply saddened to hear about the stabbings in Huntingdon. My thoughts go out to all those affected. Two suspects have been immediately arrested and taken into custody. I am receiving regular updates on the investigation. I urge people to avoid comment and speculation at this early stage."

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said: "Deeply disturbed by the reports emerging from Huntingdon. This is an absolutely horrific attack and my thoughts are with all those affected including the emergency responders at the scene."

Chairman of the Conservative Party Kevin Hollinrake said the scenes in Huntingdon were “horrifying.”. He added: “My thoughts are with the victims and the emergency services responding to this incident.”

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp called the incident a “brutal mass attack”. He said: “My thoughts are with all those injured or affected and the emergency services responding. The police and government should provide an update on what happened and who has been arrested as soon as possible.”

LNER are advising ticket acceptance has been arranged on the following routes:

• Avanti West Coast between London Euston, Manchester

• TransPennine Express between Manchester, Leeds and York/Newcastle.

• ScotRail between Glasgow Central and Edinburgh Waverley.

• Northern between Carlisle and Newcastle.

• East Midlands Railway (EMR) between London St Pancras, Leicester and Sheffield.

• CrossCountry between Sheffield, Doncaster/Leeds, York and Newcastle/Edinburgh.

• Greater Anglia between London Liverpool Street, Stevenage and Peterborough.

• Great Northern and Thameslink between London Kings Cross, Stevenage and Peterborough.

Further information is expected as the situation develops.

Image: LNER