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.
Westminster Academy
Google Maps
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.”
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Officers from Scotland Yard are investigating the incident
GETTY
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.
DCI Purvis added: “If you have information that can help us, it is imperative that you tell us immediately. The area at the time was busy with people and cars. I am particularly interested in hearing from anyone who might have captured dash cam footage that can help us establish what happened.”
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.
Head teacher Numera Anwar told GB News: “This was a distressing incident which which took place after school hours when students and staff were were leaving the school site…We are offering support to families and relatives of all involved.”
Anwar added: “This is a difficult time for our community and I took the decision to close the school today. This is to allow for a thorough investigation and to ensure the school can resume normally from tomorrow with all safety measures in place.
“We are working with the local authority and will have counsellors and other support available onsite. The welfare of the students at Westminster Academy is always our priority and that continues to remain the case.”
A London Ambulance Service spokesperson told GB News: “We were called at 4.39pm on Monday 30 September to reports of an incident in Harrow Road, W2. We sent a number of resources to the scene, including ambulance crews, members of our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) and an incident response officer.
“Our crews treated five patients at the scene, before taking them to a London major trauma centre, three as a priority.”