Man, 19, arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after Beckenham train stabbing

A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a man was stabbed on a train in south-east London.

Graphic footage of the attack, which happened on a train near Beckenham Junction shortly before 4pm on Wednesday, was filmed by passengers and shared widely on social media.

Witnesses said the attack had taken place in front of young children who had been left traumatised.

In the video, a hooded man wearing a mask is seen lunging at another person on the floor with a large knife.

Commuters were heard calling the police and begging with the attacker to stop his assault.

Warning: Graphic content

A police spokesman said: “Officers were called to Beckenham Junction station just before 4pm yesterday following reports of a fight on board a train between Beckenham and Shortlands railway station.

“British Transport Police attended, alongside London Ambulance Service and Metropolitan Police and a man in his 20s was taken to hospital.

“He is in a critical but stable condition and his family are being supported by specialist officers.”

Superintendent Darren Malpas said: “We understand the concerns of the public following this incident and our detectives have been working tirelessly to investigate. I hope this arrest will bring some reassurance to those on the rail network.

“High-visibility patrols will continue in the area and across the network as a visible reassurance to the travelling public.

“Any witnesses who are yet to get in touch are urge.”

Stabbing on Tube hours later

Hours after the Beckenham attack, two men were left in critical condition following a stabbing on the northbound platform of Kennington Tube station in south London.

The two victims were taken to hospital after the stabbing at 10.37pm. They remain in a critical but stable condition, police said.

Det Insp Paul Attwell, senior investigating officer, called the Kennington incident a “senseless attack”.

British Transport Police said the incidents were not thought to be related.

Following the two stabbings, Dawn Butler, the Labour MP, called for train guards to be reinstated.

Commenting on the video of the Beckenham attack, she wrote: “This video is just horrific. I fail to understand how somebody can be so violent.

“Bring back train guards, they are needed more than ever.”