Police closed Streatham Common station on Friday afternoon following reports of a knife fight, causing major disruption to Thameslink and Southern services. The station was shut from around 11:30am, with passengers urged to find alternative routes. Several services calling at the Zone 3 stop were cancelled.
British Transport Police said officers were called to a fight involving a knife at the station at 11:25am. A man in his 50s was arrested on suspicion of actual bodily harm and possession of a bladed article, and remains in police custody. Two males in their 20s were arrested for affray and taken to hospital with injuries that were not thought to be life-threatening or life-changing; both have since been discharged and remain in custody.
Commuters were warned to expect disruption on Gatwick Express, Southern, and Thameslink services until 7pm, with delays, cancellations, or revisions possible. Thameslink Railway confirmed that services on most routes had returned to schedule, but those between Luton and Sutton may still face delays or cancellations, with passengers advised to allow up to 20 minutes extra travel time.
The disruption was initially expected to last until 3pm but was extended as services recovered. National Rail said a number of incidents across the network contributed to the ongoing issues. Ticket acceptance and rail replacement buses were in place, but limited services were at capacity.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information is asked to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 202 of 17 May.
