A 14-year-old girl may have suffered life-changing injuries after a suspected acid attack injured three people – including a teacher – outside a school in west London.
Police said they were flagged down in Alfred Road by staff at the school while on patrol at 4.42pm on Monday, with paramedics and the London Fire Brigade also attending.
Westminster Academy said on Tuesday one pupil, a teacher and a member of the public were hurt “in an incident outside the school building” on the main road involving an “acid-like corrosive substance”.
No arrests have been made, but police say the suspect rode an e-scooter and is described as a tall, slim, black male, wearing dark clothing with his face obscured, possibly by a mask or balaclava.
One of the victims, a 14-year-old girl, remains in hospital with potentially life-changing injuries, according to the Metropolitan Police.
A 16-year-old boy is also in hospital with less serious injuries described as not life-changing, while a 27-year-old woman has been discharged.
Detective Chief Inspector Dean Purvis, leading the investigation, said a member of staff “bravely and selflessly rushed to provide first aid to the two victims”, getting hurt in the process
“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,” DCI Purvis said, adding the suspect fled down Harrow Road.
Two police officers were taken to hospital as a precaution after they reported feeling unwell.
“No arrests have been made and police are investigating,” the Met Police said in a statement.
“Tests of the substance are ongoing. At this stage officers believe it to be acidic. Urgent enquiries are under way to identify and arrest those responsible.
“A number of crime scenes are in place.”
The principal of Westminster Academy, Numera Anwar, said it was a “distressing incident” that took place “after school hours when students and staff were leaving the school site”.
She said the school was closed on Tuesday to “allow for a thorough investigation” and to ensure the school can resume normally from Wednesday.
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“This will clearly be an unsettling time for the wider community and parents,” she added.
“While police lead the investigation into this incident I would urge everyone to avoid speculation as this will not be helpful and may compromise the investigation.
“Our focus remains on our students and staff members and that is what we are concentrating on.”
A statement on the school website added students are resuming lessons through “online learning” on Tuesday.
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