Northampton MP threatened with stabbing after confronting drunk passenger playing loud music on train
A Northampton MP has revealed he was threatened with a stabbing by a passenger on a train home after challenging him over loud music.
Mike Reader, Labour MP for Northampton South, said he intervened when a drunk passenger was intimidating young people.
The man then turned on him, allegedly threatening to stab him, prompting Mr Reader to call police.
The MP shared the experience while backing government measures intended to tackle antisocial behaviour on trains and buses.
He said: "On my way home to Northampton, I asked a drunk passenger to stop intimidating some young people with his music. He turned on me and threatened to stab me. I had to call the police."
Mr Reader added: "Loud music on trains isn’t always just annoying. Sometimes it’s how trouble starts."
He said he supported the new fines and would continue pushing for sufficient support for staff responsible for enforcing the rules.
The government announced a campaign on October 19 encouraging rail passengers to use headphones rather than play music or videos aloud.
Under the slogan 'share the carriage, not the noise', operators will display reminders on trains, at stations and online.
Passengers who refuse to stop making excessive noise when instructed by authorised rail staff can be removed at the next station or face prosecution and fines of up to £1,000 under existing railway rules.
Separately, local transport authorities in England have been given powers to introduce and enforce rules addressing nuisance behaviour on buses, including loud music, vaping, littering and threatening conduct.
Offenders could face fixed penalties of up to £100 where local rules have been introduced and approved.
The powers came into force on August 5 under the Bus Services Act 2025, with guidance issued in October.
Bus drivers will not be expected to enforce the measures. Authorised officers, including police and transport safety officers, will instead engage with passengers, explain the rules and take action if necessary.
The measures are intended to make public transport safer and more comfortable for passengers.