Race to find acid attacker who left Londons Westminster Academy schoolgirl, 14, with life-changing injuries and hurt two others continues as police admits they still have made no arrests
Police are continuing to hunt for a suspected acid attacker who left a 14-year-old girl with potentially life-changing injuries after a corrosive substance was thrown at Westminster Academy pupils in central London.
Police are continuing to hunt for a suspected acid attacker who left a 14-year-old girl with potentially life-changing injuries after a corrosive substance was thrown at Westminster Academy pupils in central London.
Two teenagers and a 27-year-old teacher were injured by the substance, reportedly tossed by a tall, slim Black man in dark clothing, his face obscured by a mask or a balaclava as he carried out the sick attack.
He then sped off from the scene on an e-scooter he had arrived on just moments before. The chaos unfolded at around 4.40pm on Monday in front of horrified witnesses who flagged down police to assist.
Detectives say they are continuing to hunt for the suspect more than a day after he fled the scene - and have vowed not to stop looking until they find him. They are appealing for dashcam footage in the hope of spotting the suspect.
The two young victims - a girl, 14, and a boy, 16 - were approached on Alfred Road, close to Paddington station on Monday afternoon. The suspect then fled down Harrow Road after throwing a corrosive substance at them.
Police officers outside Westminster Academy in Paddington, central London on Tuesday after a suspected acid attack the day before
Two pupils and a teacher were injured in the attack outside Westminster Academy (pictured) on Monday
The school was closed yesterday and guarded by police. It is believed to be open as normal today
A notice posted on the schools website to notify parents of its closure all day on Tuesday
Both remain in hospital for treatment. The girls injuries are potentially life-changing, according to the Met Police.
A teacher rushed to help the pair, sustaining injuries in the process. She has since been discharged from hospital.
Two police officers were also taken to hospital as a precaution after reporting that they felt unwell; both have since been discharged.
No-one has been arrested. But former police officer Peter Williams has predicted a quick arrest when the suspect is identified.
He told GB News: In the past few years actually the numbers happily have decreased - there was legislation passed in 2019 that in certain circumstances it was illegal to possess this sort of material but its akin to me what we hear about knife crime.
Its a localised issue. I would anticipate in this particular case there will be an early arrest given the circumstances - public area, (there is) CCTV.
The Mets Detective Chief Inspector Dean Purvis 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.
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 standing guard at Westminster Academy on Tuesday. The search continues for the lone attacker
The attack took place on Alfred Road before the suspect, a tall, slim Black man, fled on an e-scooter
Westminster Academy was closed on Tuesday with lessons taking place online.
The schools principal, Numera Anwar, said in a statement: One pupil, a teacher and a member of the public have been injured in an incident outside the school building on the main road involving an acid-like corrosive substance.
This was a distressing incident which took place after school hours when students and staff were leaving the school site.
We are offering support to families and relatives of all involved.
This is a difficult time for our community and I took the decision to close the school today (Tuesday) to allow for a thorough investigation.
The school is believed to be open as normal today, with counselling staff available for those needing support after the horrific incident.
A local resident told the Standard he saw police cars and ambulances pull up to aid the injured people.
The 38-year-old man said: There were cops everywhere and real panic. There was a crime scene tent they set up just outside the school. It was full on.
Adam Hug, leader of Westminster City Council, said: This is a truly shocking attack on school pupils and a member of staff.
The council has been in touch with Westminster Academy and we will provide educational psychologists and any other support to help children through what is a traumatic ordeal. Our thoughts are with all those who have been affected.
Clearly this attack will be unsettling for the whole academy and the wider community, and we will be working with police to provide reassurance and whatever support we can.
We would urge anyone with information about what has happened to contact the police.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has information that could help police, should call 101 ref CAD 4987/30Sep. Information can also be submitted anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
