UK police have arrested a 35-year-old man in connection with a suspected acid attack that occurred outside Westminster Academy in west London, leaving two teenagers hospitalized, one with potentially life-changing injuries.
The arrest took place early Thursday morning on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm, and the suspect remains in custody at a central London police station, according to a statement from the Metropolitan Police.
The incident unfolded on Monday afternoon when a substance was thrown at students and a staff member as they were leaving the school.
In total, three individuals were injured, including a 14-year-old girl who sustained serious injuries that are currently being treated as potentially life-changing.
A 16-year-old boy and a 27-year-old woman were discharged from the hospital shortly after the attack, with their injuries not believed to be life-altering.
Detective Superintendent Scott Ware, leading the investigation, emphasized the efforts of the investigation team to understand the circumstances surrounding the incident. “Two young victims were approached outside the school by a lone man who threw a substance at them before fleeing,” he said.
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Numera Anwar, the principal of Westminster Academy, described the attack as a “distressing incident” involving an “acid-like corrosive substance.” She confirmed that the attack occurred on the road outside the school as students and staff were leaving for the day.
The UK has seen a concerning trend in attacks involving corrosive substances, which surged in the mid-2010s before declining.
However, there has been a resurgence of such incidents in 2022 and 2023, bringing renewed attention to the issue, particularly following a recent attack on a woman and her two young daughters in London.
Authorities continue to work diligently to address and reduce these types of violent crimes.
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