THERE has been a shocking rise in chemical attacks across the UK – with the highest number on record seeing more than 700 in one year alone.
The startling stats have come to light just days after a woman was left “burning” and blistered when a mystery substance was thrown over her at a pub in Basingstoke, Hampshire.
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The attack came as London police continue to hunt for Abdul Ezedi, who injured 12 people in the Clapham chemical attack – including a mother and her two daughters.
The highest figures to date were in 2022, when a massive 710 acid attacks were recorded in the UK.
This was a steep rise on the year prior, where 421 attacks were recorded.
Acid Survivors Trust International (Asti) charity said attacks in London rose by 45% last year and a massive 69% across England and Wales.
In 2022, women were targeted in 339 cases, men in 317 and in the rest the gender of the victim was unknown.
The 710 figure is the highest number of recorded attacks in the world with the majority of victims being women.
Professor Aisha K. Gill, Professor of Criminology, Centre for Gender and Violence Research, at University of Bristol, said most attacks came out of a want to disfigure someone – as opposed to killing them.
She told MailOnline: “With these attacks on the rise, the criminal justice system must ensure that its response is informed by the perspectives of survivors who have lived experience of its current responses.
“Further, it must be able to influence national police guidance and training and to scrutinise them to more clearly understand the underlying motivations of perpetrators.
“However, protecting acid victims and working to prevent this form of gender-based violence is not merely an issue of legal, police policies and practice; acid attacks can only be eradicated by social change.”
On Saturday a woman was attacked at The Golden Lion pub, with horrified onlookers watching on as an unknown mixture was poured over her head.
She was left with burns down her back, and forced to cut off her hair due to it matting as a result of the substance.
The woman, who was left blistered and reddened, was said to have been trying to leave when the horror unfolded.
Police arrested two men on suspicion of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent, and they will appear in court in May.
Hampshire Constabulary are now pleading with witnesses to come forward, after the woman, who was wearing a leopard print top, was left “extremely distressed”.
And while Met Police are still hunting to find Ezedi, who attacked a young family in Clapham, they are said to believe he drowned in the River Thames.
The 35-year-old Afghan refugee has not been seen since the night he allegedly doused a mum and her daughters with a searing corrosive fluid.
He was last spotted on CCTV close to the bridge just before 11.30pm on January 31, four hours after the attack in Clapham, South West London.
One source told The Sun: “The investigation team believe Ezedi died soon after the last sighting of him on camera on the north side of the river.”
However, cops were still seen scouring the river between Vauxhall and Chelsea bridges on Saturday morning.
Horror acid attacks
February, 2024 – Basingstoke, Hampshire
Woman left burning and blistered after mystery substance thrown on her at pub
January, 2024 – Clapham, London
Abdul Ezedi hurled chemicals at a mum and her two kids, injuring 12 people
2017 – Dalston, East London
TV star Ferne McCann’s ex Arthur Collins threw acid across a packed nightclub dance floor, injuring 22
2017 – High Wycombe, London
Joanne Rand sprayed with acid while sitting on park bench and died 11 days later
2014 – Truro, Cornwall
Andreas Christopheros was attacked on his doorstep in a case of mistaken identity
2012 – Stratford, East London
Naomi Oni attacked by bitter pal Mary Konye while walking down the street
2008 – Golders Green, London
Katie Piper had acid hurled at her by Stefan Sylvestre after ex-boyfriend Daniel Lynch arranged attack
A victim of chemical attacker Ezedi claimed in recent days that he was in the country only because church leaders backed his asylum bid.
The woman befriended the 35-year-old, but said he began pestering her for sex.
It led to his exposing himself to her without warning and hauling her trousers down in 2017.
Ezedi — who sneaked into the UK the year before in the back of a lorry — pleaded guilty and got 45 weeks’ jail, suspended for two years.
He had two asylum bids refused but a third was successful after a priest gave him a character reference when he “converted” to Christianity.
His victim said she was disgusted he was not locked up and angered again to learn he was allowed to stay in Britain.
Meanwhile, Katie Piper, who was attacked in a similar horror attack in 2008, has donated £1,000 to the mum who Ezedi hurled chemicals over.
The Loose Women star, 40, backed the online page to support the mum and her two children during their recovery.
Katie urged others to donate to the GoFundMe which last night had raised more than £37,000.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
She posted: “As many of you know burn treatment is a long process so going over target will still be much needed.”
She added: “Thank you to everyone who has donated. Your kindness and generosity does not go unnoticed.”
How you can get help
Women’s Aid has this advice for victims and their families:
- Always keep your phone nearby.
- Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
- If you are in danger, call 999.
- Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.
- Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
- If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
- Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – [email protected].
Women’s Aid provides a live chat service – available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.
You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
