Police misconduct probe over train stabbing suspect

Two police constables are being investigated for potential gross misconduct after alleged failures to investigate an assault connected to the suspect in the Huntingdon train attack.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating Cambridgeshire Police's handling of an incident in which Ricky Butcher was injured in Fletton, Peterborough, on 27 September last year.

The force referred itself to the IOPC in November after reviewing prior police contact with Anthony Williams, the suspect of the 1 November Huntingdon train attack.

Williams, 32, has been charged with 13 counts of attempted murder and remanded in custody.

No-one has been charged in relation to the Fletton incident, but Cambridgeshire Police has now told the BBC the assault has been investigated and a file passed to the Crown Prosecution Service. The force did not wish to comment further.

While British Transport Police had been leading the investigation into the train attacks, it said any connected incidents prior to 31 October were "a matter for the local force".

Butcher was taken to hospital with lacerations to his mouth after a man with a knife confronted him outside The Fletton Club.

The IOPC said police had attended the incident and spoke to the complainant, who suffered facial injuries, but the suspect had left the scene before officers arrived and no arrest was made.

Butcher said: "I'm happy it's been taken seriously by the IOPC [but] disappointed in the two officers for not taking me more seriously."

IOPC director Emily Barry said: "Since the serious incidents on the London-bound train from Peterborough on Saturday 1 November, we have been working closely with Cambridgeshire Constabulary to ensure that any complaints or conduct matters identified in its review are referred to us.

"As a result of this complaint, we will be investigating the force's handling of this incident in September. We will keep the complainant and the force updated as our investigation progresses."

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