A manhunt is underway in London for an attacker who threw a suspected “corrosive substance” at a woman and her two children in a car after a crash on Wednesday evening in the Clapham neighbourhood. Nine people were taken to hospital as a result of the acid attack. The woman and her two children were taken to the hospital, as were three people who came to help them and were exposed to the substance. Three responding police officers were also transported to the hospital with reported “minor” injuries.
It is not clear whether the woman was targeted or if this was a terrorist attack. No description of the suspect has been revealed as of this writing.
Marina Ahmed, a member of the London Assembly for Lambeth & Southwark, posted that the attack resulted from a traffic collision, saying: “There was a traffic collision with a man assaulting the occupants of the car and throwing acid. The victims included children. 7.25pm Lessar Avenue, Clapham Common South Side, SW4 If you have any information, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, completely anonymous.
A traffic collision occurred with a man assaulting the occupants of the car and throwing acid. Among the victims were children.
7.25pm
Lessar Street, Clapham Common South Side, SW4If you have any information, please contact Crimestoppers
0800 555 111, completely anonymous.– Marina Ahmed AM (@LabourMarina) January 31, 2024
Videos from the scene show the strong police response:
– London and UK Street News (@CrimeLdn) January 31, 2024
The Sky News report was posted on X Twitter:
BREAKING: Eight people, including children, have been injured in an accident involving a corrosive substance in Clapham, south London.
Read more: https://t.co/R8aus9zE2W
📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/pH Hz7F9iRP
– Sky News (@SkyNews) January 31, 2024
Lambeth Police report, “There is an extensive crime scene, and the police helicopter is overhead during the investigation.”
A woman and two children were injured in a suspected corrosive substance attack on Lesar Street #lambeth #SW4 Tonight.
There is an extensive crime scene and a police helicopter overhead during the investigation.
Can you help us? ☎️ 999 Ref 7790/31 January https://t.co/7XBegU8wSg
— Lambeth Police | Central South BCU (@LambethMPS) January 31, 2024
Metropolitan Police statement about the attack:
An investigation was launched after a suspected corrosive substance was thrown at people in Clapham
Police are investigating after a corrosive substance was thrown at people in Lambeth.
Police were called to Lessar Avenue, SW4 at around 19:25 on Wednesday 31 January.
Detective Superintendent 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 – were taken to hospital with injuries sustained, we believe, when they came to their aid.
“We will update as soon as we know more about their conditions.
“Three police officers were also transported to the hospital after they responded to the incident. Thank God, we believe their injuries are minor.
“While tests are continuing to determine what the material is, at this stage we believe it is a corrosive material.
“A man was seen fleeing the scene. We are relying on resources from across the Met to arrest this individual and work is continuing to determine what led to this horrific incident.
“The National Police Air Service is assisting us. Any member of the public who can assist us with information or materials should call 999 immediately Ref. CAD 7790/31 Jan.
No arrests have been made at this early stage.
