A mother and her youngest daughter, 3, may have life changing injuries after Wednesday night’s attack
A 31-year-old woman and her three-year-old daughter have sustained potentially life-changing injuries after an attack with an alkaline corrosive substance in Clapham, south London. Her eight-year-old daughter was also attacked.
Emergency services were called to Lessar Avenue in Clapham at about 7.25pm. The victims were taken to hospital.
Police say the man attempted to make off in a car but collided with a stationary vehicle, and then made off on foot, in the direction of Clapham Common.
Police are understood to have a probable identity for the attacker, who they believe was known to the victims.
A hunt for the suspect is under way and police are urgently trying to establish his associates and anyone who may help shelter him. Police have asked anyone with information to call 999.
A woman said she rescued the three-year-old girl after she was “thrown from a car”. She said she helped a girl, who told her she was three, and tried to help her older sister.
According to the BBC, four bystanders were injured when they tried to help. Three women – two in their 30s and one in her 50s – were injured when they tried to help. They’ve all been discharged from hospital with minor burn injuries. The fourth, a man in his 50s, declined hospital treatment for his minor injuries. Five police officers also suffered minor injuries and have left hospital.
The BBC have spoken to a hotel which sits on the corner Lessar Avenue, where last night’s chemical attack took place. The Clapham South Belvedere Hotel told the broadcaster that at 7.25pm last night, “police and ambulance services were called to attend a serious incident in which guests at the Belvedere Hotel were a victim”.
Belvedere Hotel staff, having supported the work of the emergency services, provided assistance to the guests affected and sought to reassure other hotel guests as to their safety and wellbeing.
The staff team will continue to provide assistance to guests and the police going forward. As this is an ongoing police investigation, we are not able to provide any further comment.
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