An investigation has been launched to find a lone suspect after a teenager was left with potentially life-changing injuries after a suspected acidattack outside a school in west London.
A boy aged 16 and a 27-year-old woman were also injured after the substance, believed to be acidic, was thrown at pupils and a staff member outside Westminster Academy on Monday afternoon.
Now, detectives from the Met Police said they are looking for a suspect described as a tall, slim, Black male, wearing dark clothing with his face obscured, possibly by a mask or balaclava.
Detectives said he rode an e-scooter to and from the scene.
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Detective Chief Inspector Dean Purvis, who is leading the investigation, said: “Officers were on routine patrol when they were flagged down to this terrible incident. From our enquiries so far we believe the two young victims were on Alfred Road when they were approached by a lone suspect who threw a substance at them before fleeing down Harrow Road.
“A member of staff bravely and selflessly rushed to provide first aid to the two victims, sustaining injuries herself in the process. Fortunately she has now left hospital.
“The two teenage victims – a girl and a boy – remain in hospital. For the 14-year-old girl we might not know for some time how severe her injuries are but at this time they are being treated as life-changing.
“I know how incredibly concerning this incident is to parents and pupils and the wider Westminster community. We are in close contact with the school and local authority, and I can assure people that a thorough investigation is well under way, and that my officers will not stop until the suspect is found and arrested.”
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Officers from Scotland Yard are investigating the incident
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The suspect is described as a tall, slim, Black male, wearing dark clothing with his face obscured, possibly by a mask or balaclava. He rode an e-scooter to and from the scene.
Police on patrol were flagged down at 4.42pm on Monday, September 30 by staff at a school in Alfred Road, W2 after a substance was reportedly thrown at pupils. A staff member sustained injuries when she went to provide first aid.
More to come…
