Lessar Avenue 'acid attack' updates – 12 injured in Clapham as 'corrosive substance' was used and police hunt for attacker
Who should you contact?
Any members of the public who can assist with information or material regarding yesterday's incident should immediately call 999, ref. CAD 7790/Jan 31
You can also reach Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
What did the police say?
Detective Chief Inspector Alexander Castle said: “Officers are at the scene following this horrific incident.
“Three victims – a woman and her two young children – were taken to hospital for treatment.
“Three other people – all adults – have been taken to hospital because we believe they suffered injuries while coming to their aid.
“We will update as soon as we know more about their circumstances.
“Three Police Officers were also taken to the hospital after responding to the incident. Fortunately, we assume that their injuries are not too bad.
“While testing is underway to determine what the substance is, at this stage we believe it is a corrosive substance.
“A man was seen fleeing the scene. We are drawing on resources from across the Met to arrest this individual and work is underway to determine what led to this terrible incident.
“The National Police Air Service is assisting us. Any members of the public who can assist us with information or material should immediately call 999 ref CAD 7790/31 Jan.”
MP calls for public support as manhunt continues
Work MP Marina Ahmad has asked the public for information as they continue their hunt.
“A road accident occurred in which a man attacked the occupants of a car and threw acid,” Ms Ahmad wrote.
The victims include children. 7.25pm Lessar Avenue, Clapham Common South Side, SW4.
“If you have any information, please contact Crimestoppers completely anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Witnesses describe horror attack
A witness told the Mail: “It was the worst thing I've ever seen.
“She screamed, 'My eyes! My eyes!' Her skin looked burned.”
An urgent hunt has been launched for a man who fled the scene shortly after the attack.
A resident of the road said this BBC: “I chased him halfway, but I was wearing slippers, so I didn't get very far.”
'Really bad shout'
A local resident saw the aftermath of the attack and said his mother heard a “very loud scream” during the suspected attack.
He said he saw a pair of baby shoes on the ground next to an abandoned car.
He said: “I saw acid on the ground and two baby shoes on the ground.
“The car was in the middle of the road with the doors open.
“My mother and the neighbors heard a very loud scream. I just saw the baby shoes on the floor.”
Clapham incident: what happened?
Last night at around 7.25pm police and firefighters attended Lessar Avenue in Clapham after a suspected “acid attack” left a mother and her two children injured.
Chilling footage shows a suspect running around a car and jumping into it, before appearing to drive into a person standing in front of it.
It is believed the family came into contact with a “corrosive substance”.
Bystanders and police who tried to help the family were also injured.
The suspect is still on the run.
