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London police investigating multiple acid attacks

Published: July 14 2017 - 4:12PM

London police are investigating five attacks in east London, involving acid being thrown in people's faces.

The attackers were on a scooter when they hurled the corrosive substance at their victims.

The incidents occurred on the streets of Hackney, Stoke Newington and Islington within a 72-minute interval on Thursday night, local time.

Police have arrested a teenage male on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and robbery.

Five victims were taken to hospital, one with "life-changing injuries", police said.

The first incident took place at 10.25pm London time when two men on a scooter pulled up alongside a 32-year-old man, who was also on a scooter, and sprayed him with a corrosive substance. He was left with facial injuries, and robbed of his scooter.

About 20 minutes later, the pair doused another man in acid.

The attackers struck again at 11.05 pm, throwing a corrosive substance in the face of another man.

The next acid attack took place just over 10 minutes later and when police arrived they found a man with "life-changing" injuries who was rushed to an east London hospital.

The final incident was reported to police at 11.37pm by a man who said the pair pulled up alongside him as he was sitting in traffic on his scooter. He said they spayed liquid in his face before taking off with his scooter.

The police believe all incidents are linked and are urging witnesses to come forward.

Police and ambulances on Hackney/Queensbridge Road, possible acid/petrol attack. Lots of @UberEATS @Deliveroo drivers rallied round pic.twitter.com/ndAtXV9Kj8

Footage posted on social media appears to show paramedics treating a man following one of the attacks.

They pour water into his eyes and ask him where the incident happened. "Just here," he says, pointing to a nearby intersection.

"We need to try and get water in your eyes, keep your eyes open," the paramedic says.

Another #AcidAttackTHIS HAS TO STOP!! pic.twitter.com/HYqKfSwtKV

The incidents follow a spate of recent acid attacks in east London, which have left some Muslims residents fearful about leaving their homes amid speculation they may have been motivated by racial or religious hatred.

On June 21, as aspiring model Resham Khan's celebrated her 21st birthday, an attacker sprayed the young woman and her cousin Jameel Muhktar with acid through their car window. The pair were left with devastating injuries following the attack in Newham in east London.

This story was found at: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/world/london-police-investigating-four-acid-attacks-in-90-minutes-reports-20170714-gxba5x.html