Clapham Attack: A Mother with Two Girls Among Nine Others Injured by 'Corrosive Substance'
Feb 1, 2024 / GMT+6
A mother with two girl is being feared to have lost their vision after a man reportedly attacked them with acid, causing them immense pain and terror. The horrifying incident occurred in south London, involving a total of 9 people. Among those affected were the two young daughters, aged three and eight. The police are actively searching for the suspect responsible for this appalling act.
Witnesses have described a scaring incident in which a mother and her two girls were targeted in their vehicle with a dangerous chemical in south London. The horrific scene left the family, three police officers, and two Good Samaritans who attempted to assist them, hospitalized. This shocking incident took place in Clapham on Wednesday.
A search is currently underway in south London as UK police search for the suspect who targeted a woman and two girls by throwing a suspected corrosive substance at them. In addition, three officers who arrived at the place in Clapham on Wednesday night suffered minor injuries.
Detective Superintendent Alexander Castle said that tests were being conducted to identify the substance, but it is currently believed to be corrosive in nature.
The Metropolitan Police has reported that emergency services were dispatched to Lessar Avenue near Clapham Common at 19:25 GMT on Wednesday following an alleged assault involving a suspected corrosive substance.
As dawn broke over Clapham Common, a white car was forcefully lifted onto a van and removed from the scene. Prior to this, police forensic teams, wearing protective gear, examined the vehicle which had come to a halt diagonally across the street lined with trees.
A local couple residing on Lessar Avenue said that they rushed out into the street upon hearing a distressed plea for help, quickly followed by the sound of a car colliding. "We stepped outside and witnessed a man pulling a woman out of the car and brutally throwing her to the ground twice," an unknown man disclosed. According to his speech, he observed what appeared to be severe burns on her face.
The partner of the witness, who sustained less severe burns on her face, arm, and lips while looking after one of the children involved, was transported to the hospital but was subsequently released.
According to the London Ambulance Service, she was among a group of eight persons who were taken to the hospital after the incident. Five of them were taken to a major trauma centre, while the remaining three were taken to a local hospital.
An additional person was released at the scene by the London Ambulance Service.
The Metropolitan Police reported that three officers sustained minor injuries. However, the police have not confirmed the severity of injuries sustained by the victims.
According to Acid Survivors Trust International (ASTI), acid attacks in the UK had been decreasing after reaching a high of 941 cases in 2017. However, in 2022, these cases saw a increase. Police force data revealed a 69 percent rise in crimes involving acid across England and Wales, with at least 710 attacks compared to 421 in the previous year of 2021.
