A moped rider yesterday became the latest victim of a suspected acid attack in east London less than 24 hours after five people were injured in a spate of similar incidents.
Police said a man in his twenties was squirted with a “noxious substance” when he was approached by two men on a moped.
The attackers attempted to steal the victim’s moped, but failed. Police said the victim does not have lasting injuries and has been discharged from hospital. The incident took place at 5pm in Ballards Road, Dagenham, Scotland Yard said.
There have been no arrests in relation to the latest attack. Two teenagers were arrested yesterday after corrosive liquid was thrown in the faces of five people in moped robberies across northeast London on Thursday night. Two of the assaults - which came in a 72-minute window - saw mopeds stolen, while another victim had “life-changing” injuries inflicted after being sprayed.
Attacks using corrosive substances in Britain rose from 183 in 2012-13 to 504 in 2016-17, according to figures released by 37 police forces. Ministers are said to be considering tightening legislation to restrict the sale of acid.